Honorary Appointments to the Board of Directors

On Sunday, August 28th, 2022, the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center honored three distinguished outgoing members of the board of directors. Jean-Pierre Cabalette, past president and BCC Bizi Emankorra recipient was honored. Jean Gorostiague and Anita Arduain received the highest honor ever bestowed by the Basque Cultural Center as they were made lifetime honorary members of the board of directors with Jean Gorostiague being named Honorary President and Anita Arduain being named Treasurer Emerita.

Anita Arduain served 38 years on the board and 35 years as the treasurer, an astonishing level of commitment and service to the Basque Cultural Center and to the Basque community. 

Jean Gorostiague was involved with the center from the very beginning when the idea was being formulated, to taking the lead on the project and being the center’s first board President in 1979. Jean was the general contractor for the construction of the center and also found the location. Jean had been on the board for 42 years completing 14 terms and had been responsible for the center’s infrastructure during all of that time. Jean has also served for 35 years on the center’s Catering Board – a remarkable level of benevolent dedication and commitment.