Tribute in the press

In Cajamarca, both the written and televised media, with their associated web elements, have given broad coverage of the tribute which the Provincial Municipality gave to our Network of Rural Libraries for its 40^th anniversary.

On principle, communication represents the space where each person has the possibility to connect with others. 

In the case of the newspaper Panorama Cajamarquino, the editor Jaime Abanto Padilla has not only dedicated editorials to the experiences of the Network, but has carried out and published an extensive interview with our colleague Alfredo Mires (http://www.panoramacajamarquino.com/noticia/la-red-de-bibliotecas

-rurales-es-una-gesta-comunal/), which, in many ways, reconstructs the history of the Network; a history very well described with the headline “The Network of Rural Libraries is a Communal Venture”.     

For those who participate in this experience, reading each of the paragraphs of the interview reminds us that we are part of a big family whose strength comes from the capacity to share and transmit our knowledge, maintaining ourselves in space and time.  Those who were not aware of these exploits know that after 40 years with the books on the ground, this tribute is simply to all those colleagues who tirelessly make the Network a communal encounter, using the book as a tool of encouragement.   

"Land that counts, land that reads"

It is an honour when one introduces the members of his/her family.  In the Rural Libraries, we have seen the birth of many books which are also members of the community, because they are the fruit of the effort, the dedication and the love for what we consider to be ours: our land, our nature, our people, our feeling.  These books reflect our essence, and so, the day that we present them we do it with great affection.

When the Provincial Municipality of Cajamarca proposed the staging of a photographic and bibliographic exposition - as part of their tribute for our 40^th anniversary - we enthusiastically took up that opportunity and so prepared “Land that counts, land that reads”.

We presented 20 enlargements with their respective texts, together with the more than 120 titles which we have published to date.

It has been a pleasure not only to create the exposition but to see the interest of those who came, and also the presence of our colleagues that have come from different communities to participate in the event.

During the inauguration ceremony, our General Coordinator gave a brief summary of the history of the organisation.  Then followed a torrent of questions from the public: how did you collect these stories?, how do the communities go about creating a library?, how could we get hold of these books?, where do you find these cave painting? etc, etc.

We realised that in the city we are almost unknown.  That’s the way it is – so often – with everything to do with the countryside!.....  even though 75% of the population of Cajamarca is rural.

“Keep going”, they told us.  We give thanks and continue the journey.

Weaving the net

On planning the Tribute organised by the Municipality of Cajamarca to mark our 40^th anniversary, the creation of a photographic and bibliographic exposition was proposed.  We had to think hard about how to create an exposition that didn’t cost too much, also knowing that we couldn’t use nails or adhesives on the walls of the council premises.  Apart from that, this tribute was historic for us, some many times ignored, many times relegated and more than once proscribed.

It was a day of celebration for us, beginning with an exposition of photos, trying to display the arduous work carried out by the rural librarians and coordinators in the communities of Cajamarca.

In the end, we found the cheapest, most coherent, practical and visual means of displaying the works; the background where we would place the photos about us: a net.

One week before, in the Central office we got to work weaving this net, and we can say it took a lot of work.  But whilst weaving, like fisherman, we have recaptured once again what we are. 

It is not easy to weave a net that has a certain harmony.  You have to put a lot of effort into each bead, each knot, each link.  The string we used wasn’t always clean and had a few marks which, even though we washed it, didn’t come out completely.  The string wasn’t always perfect either, it had parts which looked like they would unravel.

It is very important to measure things out before starting to weave: lengths must be measured in pairs, even just roughly, because otherwise the net will have no life to it and it will look like a mechanical factory product.  The knots must be strong, but as links need to be corrected here and there, they must be flexible; and they have to be tightened well.  The most difficult are the knots at the edges of the net, because they are what, in the end, give it its shape.  Equally, it is not always easy to maintain the organic structure in difficult moments and circumstances.

We need to end up with a firm net which can hold the images.... or the blows which threaten our community life.  The whole needs to support the parts and be strong and sure enough to last not only an exposition, but the risks and dejections which our community members suffer daily in the different and remote parts of our land.

It’s enjoyable weaving this net, even though sometimes we get tired or it seems tiring; above all if one has to weave alone.  If we work together, we are always cheered up by a smile, a story, a song, or just tightening or adjusting the knots.  Together we not only weave but WE ARE A NET.    

Visiting

One of the activities run with the children from the Community Programme during our 5^th Parents and Children Meeting, was the visit to the children of “La Casita”, the rural alternative school in the community of Pomabamba.

We were very warmly received, with great affection, not only by the children but also by the mothers who had gathered to meet us and share something of our experiences.  After sharing a few stories, games and some dancing, we talked about the importance of our natural medicine, a subject which sparked great interest in the Pomabambans.  Our expert healers José Isabel Ayay –from the community of Chilimpampa, Cajamarca– and Apolinar Huamán –from Jadibamba, in the high grasslands of Hualgayoc – shared with us part of their knowledge in this field.

Later, the voluntary teachers shared with us some delicious tortillas with jam and quince juice, all prepared by them with their local fruits.  We spent a very pleasant morning in which we all had the opportunity to learn something new.  For our children, this visit meant much more than just seeing other places and other people, the fact we were so well received and brought into the community as if we came everyday is more valuable than the trip itself.

Thank you to the Pomabambans for making these encounters so enjoyable!    

Network Poster

To coincide with the tribute for our 40^th anniversary, the Provincial Municipality of Cajamarca has printed a small poster with basic information about our network.  This is available both in printed format or as a PDF.

Exposition and Recognition

As a result of an initiative by the Offices of Tourism and of Education and Culture, the Provincial Municipality of Cajamarca has scheduled a ceremony of recognition for the 40^th anniversary of our Network of Rural Libraries.

On the 27^th May at 10:00am the inauguration of the photographic exposition “Land that counts, land that reads” will take place, followed at 7:30 in the evening by the ceremony of Tribute and Recognition.  Both events will be held at the Council Hall of the Municipality, on Jr. Cruz de Piedra Nº 613.

Goodbyes and welcomings

Agustin de Hipona used to say: “Give from what you have so that you may deserve to receive what you need”.  Lisa Meixner’s time spent volunteering with the organisation has come to an end and we want to thank her for being with us, for following us in our activities, for her affection, for playing with the children, for her solidarity, for our conversations, for singing with us and helping with our work; for the journeys shared and her criticality, for the laughs, and more.

We look forward to seeing you next year.

Over two months I had the possibility to gain an idea of the work of the Network of Rural Libraries of Cajamarca.  In two months I’ve had the chance to see the country and get to know the people, the communities and their different traditions.  In these two months I’ve also had the chance to connect with this country.

I want to say thank you to all the members of the Rural Libraries and the Community Programme for their kindness, their spirit and their patience; to everyone for teaching me and giving me these opportunities!  I will never forget this time, these experiences, this country and these people.  I’m excited to think about coming back next year.  Many thanks to the whole community of the network of Rural Libraries!

Lisa Meixner