From The Basque Country to Boise: Athletic at Jaialdi 2025

Athletic Club representatives have travelled to Boise, Idaho to celebrate the Jaialdi 2025, a traditional Basque festival in the city, with the Basque diaspora residing in the United States.

Athletic Club's women's under-15s players arrived in Idaho on Saturday, while the institutional delegation, led by vice-president Nerea Ortiz, community relations director Johana Ruiz-Olabuenaga, and academy director Eneko Bóveda, arrived to Boise on Tuesday.

A few exciting days lie ahead. Jaialdi, a celebration of Boise's Basque heritage which is held every five years, will take place from 29 July to 3 August this year. Athletic Club simply couldn't miss such an important event for the Basque diaspora. 

This isn't the Lions first involvement with the famous festival. In July 2015, the men's first team faced Club Tijuana Xoloitzuintles during the festivities.

Prior to that, Rojiblanca legends Iraia Iturregi, Erika Váquez and Ainhoa Tirapu visited Idaho in 2014. On this occasion, our women's under-15s are taking up the baton and returning the visit that Indie Chicas made to Lezama in September 2024.

The young Lionesses will stay with families in Boise and learn first-hand about the importance of keeping the link with Basque culture alive. Among the sporting activities, the highlight will be the Bizkaia Munduan Txapelketa trophy match between Athletic Club and Indie Chicas on Wednesday.

The institutional delegation, in addition to attending Jaialdi 2025's official reception and meeting with Athletic's Boise fan club, will also take part in a round table organised by Boise State University. As part of the 'Zortziak Bat' conference, the main focus will be the diaspora's role in Basque identity.
 

Athletic Club Foundation book

Futhermore academy players Xabi Payá, Onintze Enbeitia, and Nerea Ibarzabal will write a short book recounting the under-15 side's experience in Boise.

This account will be publish by the Foundation, in collaboration with the Provincial Bizkaia Government, as part of our cultural projects.