For forty years the members of the center Gernika Kuttun have tried to bring Euskadi closer to the Brazilians. Sao Paulo Eusko Alkartasuna

Bingen Zupiria 97, and young Jon Lizarburu, the presi- euskal etxea into a meeting point for all dent of the center were present. Basque women and men, as well as for Elías Echegoyen, the first secretary, the increasing number of Basque com- was the spokesman and he welcomed panies that reach Brazil. “We must ma- Many things are told and known the Basque visitors to a city of over 15 ke the existence of our association about Brazil. But few Brazilians and million inhabitants, and with a telepho- known in order to form a flourishing even less foreigners know that Sao Pau- ne directory where only about 300 Bas- Basque community. They don’t come be- lo, a city founded by Basque Anchieta, que surnames can be found. The hosts cause they don’t know we exist”. has a lively Basque community organi- wanted to thank the Lehendakari for his The directors of the Sao Paulo Eus- zed around a magnificent center: Ger- visit, which meant for them that the Bas- ko Alkartasuna are planning to find an nika kuttun. The members of the Sao que Government acknowledged the ef- office somewhere in the center of the Paulo Basque association Eusko Alkar- forts done by this association of Brazi- city, well placed and easy to reach, and tasuna took advantage of Lehendakari lian Basques, all along its 40 years of turn it into a center for the support of Ardanza’s visit to spend some time with determined existence. everything Basque. The office will sup- him and explain their situation, their “We try to make ourselves known; port cultural, industrial and commercial wishes, their problems and objectives to to explain in Brazil all about the Basque projects, it will be a sort of trade office the Basque delegation. Country, its habits, sports, etc... And we connected with the Basque Government The gathering took place last April try to do this openly in a world that is and with the Basque Centers of the the 2nd, and about a hundred people more open every day” explained Eche- Diaspora with the purpose of taking ca- attended it. The eldest founding member goyen. Then he presented their next and re of the needs and possibilities of Mer- of the center, José Antonio Bergareche, main objective: turning the Sao Paulo cosur. ■ Gernika Kuttun

Two sprouts of the Gernika Tree, a nation and the stubbornness they show cially approved by the International Pine from Navarre, a coffee plant and in the development of new projects gua- Pelota Federation, with the regulation and abundant vegetation surround rantee a promising future. During the length of 25 meters, has become an GERNIKA KUTTUN, the Sao Paulo Bas- last celebration of Aberri Eguna there excellent pelota school acknowledged que Center located next to a lake in the were more than 150 people. by the “Brazilian Society of Basque Pe- southern area, about an hour from the The center has a central building lota”, and young Basques and Brazi- city center. The center has naturally had with a meeting room, which is also lians train in our traditional sport. its difficulties, but thanks to the efforts used as a dining room, and a kitchen. These magnificent facilities become and imagination of its members and Close to it there is a wonderful pelota every weekend the meeting place for friends, it has avoided closing in the court, which has become the main at- the members and they help to keep ali- worst moments. Certainly their determi- traction of the center. The court, offi- ve the spirit of the Basque Country. ■

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