“We have incredible Basque communities in Northern California and really across California," Motley said. Neither intended to look back, but his grandfather eventually returned to the Basque Country with Garamendi’s father in the 1960s. While the Basque Country is still considered part of Spain and France, the tree and its descendants have been a symbol of Basque independence since. On Friday, the Gauden Bat dancers from Chino demonstrated several dance styles from the Basque Country as the midday sun beat down on the National Mall. “He’s learned so much more about his own roots through this process, through the festival,” Motley said.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 02, 2016 09:56 UTC