After three intense days, the 43rd National Mus Championship “Julio Mariano Uthurralt Benzo” ended at the Itxaropen Basque Center in the city of Saladillo.
The competition lasted from Saturday, August 19, to Monday, August 21, with representatives from 15 cities taking part. The winning couple came from Macachn, La Pampa.
The winning duo of the official tournament defeated the Muslaris from Laprida in the final, while the winning duo of the parallel tournament was that of Cauelas.
In this way, the champions will represent Argentina at the Mus World Tournament, which will be held on October 23 in Valparaso, Chile.
The Itxaropen Center hosted this important event as part of its 25th anniversary. The traditional card tournament, held at the Saladillo Regional University Center (CURS) facilities, began on Saturday with the participation of Muslaris from Cauelas, Buenos Aires, La Plata, Maip, Laprida, Mar del Plata, Macachn, Junn, Ayacucho, Chacabuco, Tandil, Chascoms, and Saladillo. The Basque delegations from Rosario, Pergamino, and Chivilcoy also took part.
Around 150 people gathered in Saladillo for a meeting where camaraderie was the real architect.
In addition to the official tournament, another competition was held at the headquarters of the Basque Center with the companions of the official couples of the competition, in which 51 couples took part.
Emotional graduation party
The reception of the delegations took place in Itxaropen, in Sarmiento, and in De Santibáes, where also the delegates’ meeting took place, chaired by the President of the Argentine Mus Federation, Fernando Mujica. At lunchtime, the guests ate in the Pizza A Full Party Room, which was responsible for the hospitality.
After the first day of play at the CURS headquarters, the camaraderie dinner show took place in the hall of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Production, attended by Mayor José Luis Salomón and Cultural Director Silvina Iturria.
Guests sampled an exquisite menu served by the folks at Pizza a Full and, before dessert, enjoyed a superb performance by tango couple Mayra Erro and Marcelino Martin. The Itxaropen Center dance group also danced and received a standing ovation from those in attendance.
After the mayor’s welcoming remarks, the board members, chaired by Nora Idoeta, presented gifts to all the participating delegations as well as to the women participating in the tournament. As a thank you for supporting this event, they also gave him a typical Basque beret.
It should be noted that Saladillo is hosting the National Championship for the second time, having already received this honor in 2013.
The campaign lasted until Monday and ended at noon with lunch for 80 people and the award ceremony.
On this occasion, the Organizing Committee presented several gifts and announced that the 44th National Championship will be held in La Plata next year.
Visibly moved, Daniel Altamira thanked everyone for their pleasant presence and addressed very moving words to Héctor, his father: “We have enjoyed three days dedicated to Basque culture, and that makes us proud… How beautiful the mousse is!” He gave me many friends, but above all, my father.”
For his part, “Tito” Altamira acknowledged the trust that the Basque center had in them in organizing the championship.
Satisfied with the results, the President of the Argentine Mus Federation, Fernando Mujica, said, “The way they received us in Saladillo was really a luxury.” We congratulate the people of the Basque Center because it has met expectations. We take very nice memories from it; it’s a great family.”
At the end of the event, Mayor Salomón also congratulated the Itxaropen Center, whose members are characterized by agitation, intensity, and also very generousness, since during the pandemic they had the gesture of ceding their facilities as a field hospital to house the patients of COVID. “It’s an institution that not only works to preserve the traditions of Basque culture but also has a very human side for the good of the community,” he added.
