Gure Euskal Etxea
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GURE EUSKAL ETXEA BILTZEN < BEROTZEN < POZTEN © 2010, San Francisco Basque Cultural Center, www.sfbcc.us 599 Railroad Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94080 Basque Cultural Center Restaurant: www.basqueculturalcenter.com Gure Euskal Etxea -Biltzen, Berotzen, Pozten by Gracian and Nadine Goyhenetche All photos courtesy of members of the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center DVD: 25 Years of the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center, 1982-2007 Produced by Jean Paul and Liz Barthe All rights reserved by the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center 2010 Cover art: Al Golden, The Big Idea Group. Dedicated to Arnaud Mendisco and his family. “Their generosity and love of Basque culture and tradition has kept my family connected to the Basque community.” Inner pages graphic design and production: Katey O’Neill, O’Neill Text & Graphics 2 GURE EUSKAL ETXEA < BILTZEN BEROTZEN POZTEN < SAN FRANCISCO BASQUE CULTURAL CENTER contents Page: preface................................................................................................... 4 acknowledgments ...................................................................................... 6 dedication ............................................................................................... 7 introduction ............................................................................................ 8 chapter one: biltzen < coming together ........................................11 formation of the basque cultural center .................................................12 chapter two: berotzen < warming up ..............................................41 members members' memories ...........................................................................42 members volunteering ......................................................................66 members honored.............................................................................77 gure bihotza .......................................................................................95 gure euskal apeza < our basque chaplain ..............................................96 activities board of directors ................................................................... 104 building and grounds ................................................................. 117 pilota ................................................................................... 122 entertainment .......................................................................... 146 women's club ........................................................................... 162 youth activities ....................................................................... 174 basque educational organization ................................................. 186 the restaurant ............................................................................. 196 kabalkada < cavalcade ....................................................................... 216 the 25th anniversary celebration .......................................................... 240 chapter three: pozten < being happy ............................................ 259 promoting basque culture for future generations .................................... 260 with the gazteak ....................................................................... 260 with the local community ........................................................... 269 with the united states basque community ........................................ 272 with euskadi ............................................................................. 276 CONTENTS 3 preface Lana Maitea < A Labor of Love racian and I just returned home from celebrating that it’s not only to non-Basques but to others with G the 28th Anniversary of Gure Euskal Etxea, Our Basque heritage that we need to extend this rich Basque House. For two reasons it’s extremely appropriate culture. that I write the comments for this quarter century retro- • Jeffrey Lee, the Chinese American President of the spective at this time. Wah Ying Social Club, gave me the second busi- First of all, this anniversary Mass like the opening ness card. He told me that he watched our Center Mass in 1982 took place on Valentine’s Day – such a being built. He was a business associate and very perfect day to celebrate the place we love because it brings dear friend of Jean Baptiste Saparart and Jean Pierre together all those who love Basque culture – both Basques Espil. Jean Baptiste and Jean Pierre showed Jeff how and non-Basques alike. The 6th Anniversary in 1988 also to pick mushrooms, and the three would bring had a Valentine’s theme. Marriage was celebrated, and I their mushrooms to the BCC to cook in the early was awed with the number of couples celebrating their 25th 80s. So it wasn’t only the members who watched Anniversary, who are now three years shy of their 50th! the BCC being built. This makes me wonder how Secondly, I’m filled withBiltzen-Berotzen-Pozten, many more cross cultural stories are threaded into the title of this book. These words were the theme of the this short “twenty-some” year history. BCC’s 25th Anniversary in 2007 suggested by Aita Mar- txel Tillous. Doctor Jon Aske, Language Resource Center So I’m filled withBiltzen-Berotzen-Pozten from this Director at Salem State College, translated the Basque 28th anniversary weekend. Coming together because of proverbs used in this book, and e-mailed me that Biltzen- our children and gathering with family and friends who Berotzen-Pozten was something found carved on many of have become one extended Basque family to warm up the fireplaces of Basque houses, around the hearth, which with, then meeting new people like Harryette and Jeffrey makes sense. The fireplace is something that brings people who liven up the hearth because they are so warmed up together, warms them up, and thus makes them happy! with Basque hospitality. How can that not fill our hearts Biltzen-Berotzen-Pozten perfectly fits and is the essence with delight and joy – especially when we see so many of the three chapters of this book. They are also what hap- little children running all around? pens at every Anniversary and probably most BCC events! The precursor to being asked to compile this book, Biltzen – to bring together. The BCC was formed by was that I was trained in 2005 by Dr. Gloria Totori- Basque people coming together again and again and tak- cagüena on how to interview and get historically accurate ing heroic steps to build a house where they could gather information for the Bay Area’s Urazandi project. I prac- together. ticed my newly acquired skills on my husband, Gracian, Berotzen – warming up. Following the Opening in by interviewing him first. That is when my most treasured 1982 the members have continued to volunteer their time moment came working on both these projects. When I and energy, warmth and love, to their Etxea which has asked the interview question, “Did you marry a Basque?” never dwindled and continues to keep us warm like a very Gracian looked at me and replied firmly, “Yes, I did!” strong fire in the fireplace. Joseba Zulaika, Director of the Basque Studies Pro- Pozten – to make happy, gladden, delight. What could gram, University of Nevada explained this moment very bring a member greater delight then seeing their children in- well in Euskal Etxeak 2005 Issue 70:“....People feel they volved and in leadership of Gure Euskal Etxea? What could are Basque because they are interested in Basque culture bring a member more joy than seeing their beloved culture and history, not because they were born on Basque land become known and embraced by the greater community? and have Basque last names. These are the signs of identity I was so glad (pozten naiz!) that our family coming that really matter. Being Basque does not mean living in together for this weekend’s 28th Anniversary celebration the Basque Country. It is a way of living in the world and was due to our children’s persistence. Because of them, having an overall vision and feeling of being Basque.” we spent two days celebrating the BCC’s anniversary, and Over forty years ago I fell in love with a Basque. And I have two business cards sitting in front of me from two now because of Biltzen- Berotzen-Pozten through all those wonderful people who loved their experience of the Center. I’ve met through the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center and this project, I’m in love with the whole welcoming • Harryette Hughes who lives in Danville and whose Basque community and rich culture. mother’s maiden name was Arosteguy just heard about our Basque Cultural and visited the BCC Eskerrik Asko Bihotz, Bihotzetik – Thank you from the for the first time this year. That made me realize bottom of my heart! —Nadine Goyhenetche 4 GURE EUSKAL ETXEA < BILTZEN BEROTZEN POZTEN < SAN FRANCISCO BASQUE CULTURAL CENTER hen Nadine and I were first asked to do this book, s I collected film footage throughout the years I always W we immediately said “YES” without realizing what A wondered what I would do with it. In October of we were getting ourselves into! You might be thinking, 2007 I was approached by one of the BCC Board mem- “big mistake!” Yes, there were times I did regret taking on bers who asked if I would want to put together a video this project, especially when I saw all the work it entailed. for the 25th Anniversary of the BCC. I immediately said At times it felt like it would never end!! However, looking yes without knowing into what an immense project I back now, I know it was not a “big mistake”; it was a “La- was