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Basque government leaders visit Mountain Home
Prior to the upcoming Basque Picnic on Saturday, Aug. 8, the Basque Club of Mountain Home organized a special meet and greet reception for three dignitaries from the Basque government.
The event was held at Basque Park last Wednesday afternoon.
The dignitaries, who are currently visiting various Basque clubs across the country, were Benan Oregi Inurrieta (staffer for the office of the Secretary), Julian Celaya Loyola (Director of Relations with the Basque Collective) and Andoni Martin (staffer for the office of the Secretary).
"They are just here on a cultural mission from Basque county to come see the clubs here in Southern Idaho," said Erin Acarregui, board member of the Basque Club.
Joe Lasuen and Mountain Home City Councilman Richard Urquidi were among the many members of the Basque club who took the dignitaries on a tour of the Basque House, located next to the Bengoechea Hotel. While on the tour the dignitaries and Basque members discussed the club's future plans for the facility.
The Basque Hotel is currently used as a school house where Goisalde Jausoro teaches Basque language. It also has a meeting room, a storage unit, office space and a kitchen for preparing meals for any functions held at the park.
After the tour of the Basque House, the dignitaries were shown the hotel as well as various aspects of Basque Park, including the historic fronton wall. As the tour concluded, the dignitaries were shown both the Basque mural and the Basque flag wall.
Following the tour, Loyola, speaking through a translator, shared his views on the Basques of Mountain Home.
"I am so impressed at the community support and the influence that the Basques have made in Mountain Home. I am so happy over the amount of Basque pride throughout the American West."
The Basque government dignitaries also got the opportunity to meet John Bideganeta, who was one of the founding members of the Basque club in Mountain Home, and Mountain Home Mayor Tom Rist, who shook hands with each of the dignitaries and recognized the Basque House.
"We're certainly pleased to have you here in our community. It's very exciting for the city to have you here," said Rist.
Later, Rist spoke about the Basque House, saying "this is a gorgeous building."
The event closed with the meet and greet reception, where the dignitaries met with members of the Basque community and enjoyed a variety of snacks and beverages provided by the Basque club.
Following the meet and greet, the dignitaries left for Gooding to visit that community's Basque club. Afterward, they visited the Basque club in Boise.
"I think that they really enjoyed the tour and the activities that we organized," said Lasuen.
"They were also impressed with the support from the community that we received, not to mention the local Basques were also impressed by the new secretary and that gave us hope that we will be able to continue our solid relationship with the Basque government."
The Basque government is the governing body of the Basque Autonomous Community of Spain.
The head of the government is the lehendakari (meaning the "first secretary") or Basque president.
The lehendakari is appointed by the Basque parliament every four years. The lehendakari headquarters is located in the Lakua district of Vitoria-Gasteiz in Alava.
The Basque parliament is the legislative body of the Basque Country autonomous community of Spain and the elected assembly to which the Basque Government is responsible.