This Christmas, Olentzero made the trip back east once again

By A Basque in Boise December 26, 2013 Basque Community, Diaspora, Holidays, USA No Comments

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Basque Club celebrated its annual St. Thomas Christmas party on Saturday, December 21st from 4 to 8 pm. The board of directors held an open meeting at 3 pm to discuss and plan future events, activities, and further opportunities to promote the Basque Culture in New England.

The party was well attended and members enjoyed a delicious pot-luck style dinner (members shared their favorite dishes and desserts). Hugo Hauregui was the lucky raffle winner and took home a gift box of Spanish products (which included 2 bottles of red wine, olive oil, chocolate, serrano ham, chorizo, manchego cheese, saffron, and other delicacies). Gorka Otxoa and Sergio Sotelo won the 2013 RI Mus tournament that took place after dinner.

It was a night full of fun and magic for the little ones. From 4 to 5, they enjoyed face painting, coloring, and some of them wrote their letters to Olentzero. They enjoyed his surprised visit at 6 pm. When he left, they watched the movie Olentzero and the Magic Trunk (Olentzero eta Subilaren Lapurreta). At the end of the night, they made some more crafts as well as a fake beard (Olentzero style).

It was a great night and the perfect way to start the Christmas celebrations.

Washington D.C.

Olentzero also stopped by the U.S. capital a few days back. Thanks to Mark Bieter, who sent the photos, we can now have a sneak peak of their fun evening.