Basque Cultural Center - Community

06/16/2026

Basques in the World Cup? You already know. 🌎🏆⚽

While Euskadi doesn’t field its own team, Basque culture runs deep this 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting right on the Spanish squad, where six players from the Basque Country will represent La Roja: Unai Simón, Nico Williams, Mikel Oyarzabal, Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi, and Aymeric Laporte. Meanwhile, Nico’s famous older brother, Iñaki, will play for Ghana this tournament.

But the real story this year? The coaches! Four men with deep ties to the Basque Country, leading some of the most anticipated contenders in the tournament:

🟩 Didier Deschamps - France 🇫🇷
Born in Bayonne, French Basque Country. One of only three people in history to win the World Cup as both player and coach.

🟩 Javier Aguirre - Mexico 🇲🇽 (host nation)
Known as “El Vasco”, his parents emigrated from Guernica and Ispaster. He leads Mexico on home soil for his third World Cup.

🟩 Luis de la Fuente - Spain 🇪🇸
Born to an avid AC Bilbao fan, he joined their academy as a boy and went on to win two La Liga titles with the club. He’s now leading the reigning European champions.

🟩 Julen Lopetegui - Qatar 🇶🇦
Born in Asteasu, Gipuzkoa, and famously sacked as Spain’s coach just two days before the 2018 World Cup, he finally gets his World Cup moment leading underdog Qatar.

The Basque Country has left its mark on every corner of the beautiful game. Zorte on from all of us at the SFBCC! 🌍🏆⚽️

06/05/2026

👔🍷 Aitaren Eguna Reminder!

⏰ There’s still time to reserve your spot for the BCC Women’s Club Annual Aitaren Eguna (Father’s Day) Luncheon but RESERVATIONS CLOSE JUNE 14TH!

Join us on Sunday, June 21ST at 12:30 PM as we celebrate all the amazing Aitas with delicious food, great company, and a special raffle. Every dad receives a complimentary raffle ticket! 🎟️❤️

📅 Reservations required by June 14
🎟️ Reserve your spot: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/2026-fathersday/items

Raise a glass to Aita and celebrate with us!

06/04/2026

📬 Check out this week’s NABO Astero, featuring Friday’s Basque Film Screening, "Lurdes Iriondo", hosted by the Basque Educational Organization, as well as details on our upcoming Basque Club of San Francisco Annual Picnic at Penngrove Park this Sunday!

🎟️ Get your picnic tickets here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-basque-picnic

It’s shaping up to be a packed weekend of Basque culture and fun!

This week we are sharing news from:
• Basque Educational Organization
• Euskal Lagunak Basque Club
• Gooding Basque Association
• San Francisco Basque Club

https://gem.godaddy.com/s/4854ce1

06/03/2026

🎬 This Friday: Basque Film Series at the BCC

Join the BEO for a special screening of Lurdes Iriondo, We Will Not Have Lived in Vain on Friday, June 5 at 7:30 PM.

This acclaimed documentary celebrates the life and legacy of Lurdes Iriondo, a pioneering voice in Basque-language music and an influential figure in preserving and transmitting Basque culture to future generations.

👉 For more details, including previews and director information, see LINK IN BIO (Instagram) or visit https://sfbasqueculturalcenter.org/events-page/lurdes-iriondo

YouTube Preview: youtube.com/watch?si=L2ve7NRATTMCLic4&v=hcuex2r7xz8&feature=youtu.be

06/02/2026

🃏🎉 Sunday’s Mus Madness Recap!

What a great day of cards, camaraderie, and Basque tradition at the BCC! Despite a busy graduation weekend, 16 teams turned out for Mus Madness, enjoying a full day of competition, breakfast bites, prizes, and plenty of laughs.

We were especially excited to welcome a new tournament player to the mix, and even after the tournament ended, several players stuck around for a few more games …proof that you can never have too much Mus! 😄

A special Milesker to Annmarie Goyhenetche Sullivan for coordinating another fantastic event, and to everyone who participated and helped make the day a success. Until the next tournament!

06/02/2026

🤾Basque Pilota & Dinner Event Recap

This past Saturday, we were honored to welcome elite players from the Federación Navarra de Pelota Vasca to the BCC for an evening of exciting pilota and dinner with our community. Our visitors included Unax Apezteguia, Javi Oscoz, Aitor Alduntzin, Hegoi Txoperena, and Coach Fernando Goñi Erice, who showcased their formidable skills and sportsmanship.

Following the matches, the team presented the BCC with a commemorative plaque, graciously accepted on behalf of the Center by Tony Huarte

As this event also marks Tony’s final one as BCC Pilota Chair, we’d like to extend a heartfelt Milesker for his many years of leadership, dedication, and service. Through tournaments, exhibitions, youth development, and countless connections with clubs and players across the US and the Basque Country, Tony has helped grow and strengthen our pilota program in remarkable ways.

Eskerrik asko to our visiting players, volunteers, spectators, and especially Tony for helping make this a memorable day for the BCC community.

📸 Liz & JP Barthe

06/01/2026

🏀BCC Youth Committee Takes on the Valkyries! 💜🏀

The BCC Youth Committee organized its first 2026 outing this Sunday as a group of BCC families headed to the Chase Center to watch the Golden State Valkyries take on the Las Vegas Aces!

While the Valkyries found themselves facing a 26-point deficit, the Violet Femmes put together an incredible fourth-quarter rally, cutting the lead to just 8 points before ultimately falling by 10 in a hard-fought battle. The energy in the arena was electric, and a great time was had by all!

👉This is just the beginning for the BCC Youth Committee. Be on the lookout for another outing planned for late July or August.

💡Have an activity, event, or adventure you’d like to see the Youth Committee organize? We’d love to hear your ideas!

📞 Alain Camou: 650-296-6302
📧 [email protected]

Milesker to everyone who joined us, and we look forward to building more opportunities for our youth and families to connect, have fun, and strengthen our BCC community!

05/29/2026

📬 The June BCC Newsletter is here!

Summer is nearly here, and there’s a lot happening at the BCC this June. Be sure to check out this month’s newsletter for full event details, Sunday Lunch menus, announcements, and more.

Upcoming Events include:
🎬 June 5th Basque Film Series hosted by the Basque Educational Organization: “Lurdes Iriondo"
🧺 June 7th Annual SF Basque Club Picnic at Penngrove Park
🗳️ June 14th General Members Meeting & Election
🛠️ June 21st Aitaren Eguna (Father’s Day) Luncheon hosted by the BCC Women’s Club

And don’t forget - we’re closing out May this weekend with a packed schedule:
🥾 May 30th Mendigoizaleak Hike along SF’s Barbary Coast Trail
🤾🏻‍♂️ May 30th Pilota Event & Dinner featuring elite players from the Basque Country
🃏 May 31st BCC Mus Madness with tournaments, lessons, muffins & prizes
🏀 May 31st Gazteak Lehenik Youth Group outing to watch the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center

👉 Read the full June Newsletter here: https://sfbasqueculturalcenter.org/newsletter/wlj5hw48a3rny4h-za2hs-ep4ry-5dtwp-s3enj-frce2-66ntk-fzwy6

05/26/2026

Basque Educational Organization's Grant applications are due by May 31st! Don't miss this great opportunity for your Basque cultural project! See below for more details.

⏰ ONE WEEK LEFT!

The BEO Women’s Empowerment Fund and Creator’s Fund close May 31 at 5pm PT.

If you’ve been thinking about it — now is the time. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so every day counts.
Up to $500 for your Basque cultural project. Don’t leave it on the table.