The Fourth Reunion
The Fourth International Reunion of the Bu/Bo/Butxaca took place on June 13-14, 2009, in Peramola.
We chose this place so we would have easy access to Valldarques and Freixe.
143 people attended, coming from the United States, France, and Catalonia. The majority attended only on Saturday, some came both days, and others came only on Sunday.
It's appropriate to make note that five families came from Digne (France) (four of them for their first time) and from Miami (U.S.) came one family who are veteran reunion attendees.
We felt the absence of those who for one reason or another could not attend this time, but at the same time, we were happy that many attended their first-ever reunion.
After a welcome by the Mayor of Peramola and the singing of the anthems of the countries represented by the attendees, we sang the family hymn, all joining together with the words in their own languages, Catalan, Castilian, and French.
As is our tradition, we paused to remember those family members who have passed away recently.
A good bit of time was allotted for attendees to introduce themselves. Some people who could not attend in person sent messages, including recorded messages, which we heard with great interest.
We gave a report of the book, Arrels, the sales and the quantity remaining. Proceeds from the sale of the book (beyond the costs of publishing) are dedicated to defraying the deficits of the reunions, the costs of hosting a family Website, and other unexpected small expenses related to the family events.
An important part of the Reunion was the presentation of our new Boxaca Website, its creation generously donated by a family member, with the contributions of a team of family members. Another member of this team established a means of two-way communication through an Internet group.
Attendees received a gift of a computer mousepad with the family coat-of-arms and the address of our family Website, and an attendee from France gave us shields and elaborate pennants which she had handcrafted. We appreciate this wonderful gesture.
On Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, we visited the two towns mentioned above. From a strategic position, we viewed the scattered houses of our ancestors as they were described. And in Valldarques, within the village center, we found the church of Sant Romà, and the small cemetery where the iron crosses bear our name, testimony of our past. Before we were dismissed from there, we took the family photo which has become our ritual.
In Freixe we were warmly welcomed by the present residents of the first Boxaca house. We also visited the church of Sant Serni, and we photographed ourselves by that house where all our family history begins. Although the family name Boxaca no longer exists in Freixe, Mr. Benet (owner of this house) is known among the present residents of Freixe as "The Boxaca".
The Fifth Reunion will possibly take place in the spring of 2012 and the locality of Penelles (the Noguera, Catalonia), as this is another location where our ancestors located in early times. We will attempt to meet in a place which can accommodate all attendees. Our hope is to have 250 in attendance.
Arrels
‘The Book of a Family’ is the detailed, informative account of our family's past, present and future.
Locations
We descend from workers of the land in Freixe, Catalonia. Today, the family is found throughout the world.