The Festival of Exchange

After our All'Pata Paguikun - the offering to the earth, the mountains and the deceased -, the Assembly of Librarians started with the Exchange Party: the books brought from the countryside, the selection of others to take, the delivery of the reading logs, the reports of the coordinators, the spirit of carrying books for reading circles, formed part of this day where books, titles, exchange cards and the request for more books, form an atmosphere full of enthusiasm and encouragement to continue with the dignified voluntary work of the librarians in the countryside.

Evaluating the journey

We met about sixty people who came from the different provinces of Cajamarca and also from Huamachuco, La Libertad.

We highlight the presence of a group of young people from Jaén, from the Higher Pedagogical Institute, who, encouraged by the work of the rural librarians, return to deepen and continue learning and unlearning; We counted on the presence of Luis Vílchez who accompanies the library work of his grandfather, our veteran coordinator Antonio Vílchez.

We were very happy to also count on the presence of brothers and sisters who have come as accompanying readers, new librarians or coordinators in the provinces of Cajabamba, Celendín, Chota, and San Marcos.

The members of the Library Network, together, evaluated their gait; in raindrops the most relevant actions were shown and the dramatization later revealed the trace of our humble but constant steps in the countryside.

We are grateful to continue walking.

The Peasant Encyclopedia

This is the space to share the tasks of rescue that we have been carrying out in the communities of the countryside and in some educational institutions. These are moments of learning around divergent thinking, as well as to discuss decolonization processes. This time we also focused on reading, education, orality and time in oral tradition.

Other moments were also dedicated to the meaning of rescuing, recognizing the principles and deepening the themes. Also, the recognition of the context, the means used, the stimuli and the consideration of the environment to carry them out. There was space to reflect, observe and evaluate the actions undertaken and think about the challenges of the Peasant Encyclopedia Project.

The sample of peasant games showed us how rich is the simple and sensitive presence of ways of playing in the countryside. The rescue of our own words is shaping an extensive Cajamarcan vocabulary, invaluable heritage of our communities. And the rescue of goods and riches in the tradition of Cajamarca gave us a sample of the differences we have in society, of blessings and fortune. This would be a conception worthy of being extended in the whole world!

The Encounter of the Peasant Encyclopedia encourages us to continue searching, rescuing and, as our brother Alfredo, Project Director says, "Continue to enhance our own culture, respect differences and restore the pride of the community; Engage in the disalignment and cultural affirmation; and read the texts across the world to return to the world."

Encounter and Assembly

Just a few days ago we had the Encounter of the Encyclopedia Campesina Project and the General Assembly of the Network of Rural Libraries of Cajamarca.

In our headquarters we gathered the numerous community-librarian family, with stories and living memories, books and readings.

They have been, as always, extraordinary moments of learning and reflection; the wisdom of the upbringing, the respect for all that lives and the warmth of mutual teachings.

In these days, where the breath of Andean farmers reaffirm convictions, enthusiasms and fortitude.

These junctures rekindle the solidarities that make us stronger, happier, more persistent: because we are stronger if we are together. Because the hug is from many arms.

Athletes with the Network

Solidarity is a force that excites.

This was shown again by our companion Helen Heery: four friends made the long Two Castle Race between Warwick and Kenilworth, in the center of England.

Paul Mansell, John Jones, Huw Davies and Haris Anjum made this fraternal, dynamic and pleasing effort to show solidarity with our path, with our communities.

It is a fortune the existence of humans whom we have always known even though we have not yet met; because there are no borders in this enchanted land; because goodness is a force that gathers and shares.

Corruption and justice

The shock and nausea does not leave us after listening to the recordings of the negotiations of judges, prosecutors, businessmen and "remarkable" politicians of the nation.

The couplets that our brother Alfredo Mires Ortiz wrote some time ago and that we published in the book "Resuellos" feel appropriate.

Here, only a sample of "Un pais" (One country):

What rage, a country where

the corrupt becomes judge,

where the bribe is first

and everything else later.

What fury, a country where

life is worthless,

while the crime walks

and honesty lies prostrate.

What outrage, a country

who enjoys the fatal,

and to see terrible news

is national sport.

How horrible a country where

the future is pawned,

where oblivion is the guideline

and impunity walks escorted.

What anguish a nation gives

where peace is violence

where good is bad

and ignorance is science.

How amazing a country

that exalts the rotten

and that hardly reacts

when everything is lost

Here, Jaén

No excuses for taking so long to put up this note. Although in truth the experience left us deeply touched, animated and reflecting.

In April of this year, for the General Assembly of the Network, we were fortunate to count on the presence of teacher Sara Moreno, of the Higher Pedagogical Institute "Víctor Andrés Belaúnde", of the province of Jaén.

Encouraged by this sharing, Sara proposed to make a replica of this immersion, so at the beginning of June forty-seven students and two teachers came to intern for four days with us.

The unlearning stretched from the cleaning of the premises to the in-depth debate of the scheduled topics. And the juncture that reveals and rebels.

The community members, masters of humility and wisdom, accompanied this clearing of the path that urges us so much.

This meeting has been a sowing in this farm of hope.

Here always beats our thanks.