Associations

Emakume Abertzale Batza

Basque-Argentine Center in Buenos Aires. On August 16, 1938, the Argentine section of this group was constituted, as a response of the Basque women to the call made by the Basque Nationalist Action, in support of the patriotic demands and to gather help that would be provided to the Basque refugees in Europe and America. Immediately, they directed their efforts to the search for palliatives for the situation that Euskal Herria was experiencing, collaborating with other ethnic entities.

The initial Board of Directors was chaired by Amelia Arteche de Juregui, who was accompanied by Amelia G. De Menchaca as Vice President, María Begoña de Orbea as Treasurer and Angelita de Bilbao, Arantzazu de Barrena, Ikerne de Kortazar, Antonia de Amorrortu and Miren de Muxika as vocals.

Having overcome the instances of the civil war, Emakume set out to strengthen the different ties that unite the natives of the seven historical Basque provinces and their descendants; exalt the values of Argentina and the love for it; organize activities that keep the values of the nationality alive, promote theatre, music and Basque dances, through the creation of a dramatic body and groups of dantzaris.

From the very beginning they have participated in charitable activities, mostly for the Euskal Echea Nursing Home, in fairs, festivals in cultural centers, museums, universities, etc., disseminating the characteristics of Basque culture.

Basque-Argentine Center in Rosario. In 1935, a Board of Emakumes was founded in Zazpirak Bat, chaired by Carmen de Olalla de Aretxabala, which on November 5, 1938 gave rise to the Association of Patriotic Basque Women, created in the image of the mother entity of Bilbao. As in this one, its ends will be political refugees. In this first stage, through different means and alongside the Zazpirak Bat -where it is based- they collaborated with the Committee for Aid to the Basques of Buenos Aires, raised funds to keep the Basque Government in exile, as well as expatriate Basques in Argentina.

Its first Board of Directors was made up as follows: President: Adelaida Díaz de Lecea, Vice President, María del Pilar Aretxabala, Secretary, Lorea de Ustarán; Assistant Secretary María Lanne, Treasurer, Marcelina Uribarri; and Members Victoria Muguerza, Isidora Legarreta, Erminda Baret and Miren de Muniategui.

According to its Statutes, the purposes of the entity are to establish solidarity and cultural links all Basque women and their descendants, as well as any other person who wants to join this association, cultivate Basque and Argentine traditions; teach Basque; disseminate the sciences and arts of Euskadi; carry out all kinds of cultural activities and disseminate them, encourage sports and recreational tasks; stimulate the teaching of typical cooking, handicrafts, handicrafts, etc., as well as any other considered of interest to its members.

Together with Zazpirak Bat, they organize fraternity and charity parties and evenings, and collaborate with the development of musical, song and dance activities, especially in the txikis category and in the making of costumes. The extension of Emakume towards the Rosario community has grown in recent years, mainly from the creation in the local Municipality of the Women's Secretariat, to which they belong as a feminine entity of the city.

Since 1992, an opening process took place in Zazpirak Bat, under the presidency of Juan Francisco Oteiza, through which women can now join the entity on equal terms with men, that is, as active members (previously they were adherents) and participating in the Board of Directors.

Currently, the Association of Basque Women (official name of the group) has approximately 200 members.

Original text: Marcelino Iriani Zalakain ( 2003)