Kids come to Boise to learn about Basque culture

Some special performers will kick off this year's festival.  The more than 100 kids who took park in Udaleku.  It is a two-week camp that draws kids from all over the West to learn more about their Basque culture.

The camp is put on by North American Basque Organizations, and rotates around the West. It's been eight years since it's been in Boise.

"They're learning a whole bunch of aspects of Basque culture," said Lisa Corcostegui. "They're learning the Basque language, Euskara, they're learning dances. They're learning txistu."

The camp has three main instructors, two of them are from the Basque country.  Corcostegui helped translate for her colleagues so they could explain the impact the camp has on the kids.

"They're really paying attention to what's being taught," said Eneko Espino. "It's kind of difficult to teach this class to so many kids. We have over 100, and the groups are pretty large, but they're behaving very well."

"He says he thinks it's extremely important that they understand where they came from, that at some point, someone came from the Basque country, and to know about their history, their culture," said Jexux Larrea. "Because it's part of them, it's their roots."

The kids' big performance is Friday at 7 p.m. on the Basque block in downtown Boise.