Member of Honour

The prestigious Argentine Pre-Columbian Research Center (CIP) is a non-profit organization that was created with the purpose of promoting and protecting cultural heritage.

Due to his long career in cultural research, our General Coordinator, Alfredo Mires Ortiz, received at the beginning of November ‒ in the framework of the XVI Argentine-Peruvian Binational Colloquium‒  honorary membership of the CIP.

We are very grateful for this unexpected recognition and, from the Rural Libraries Network, we want to congratulate Alfredo for this merit.

'Dios Cajacho' and 'The beings of over here'

We welcome the new edition of Volume 1, Dios Cajacho, and Volume 2, Los seres del más acá, from the Peasant Library.

The first is in relation to the narrations about the saints, apparitions and miracles of the Cajamarcan Oral Tradition, where our faith and our religiosity are embodied.

In the book 'The beings of over here', the life of what is commonly called "beings from beyond" is recounted; what is shown is that they are very close to us, from souls and goblins to apparitions and charms.

In these new editions of the Rural Libraries Network, stories from the provinces of Jaén, Cutervo and San Ignacio have been added, as well as stories from other characters.

Welcome reading!

CV of Alfredo Mires

A few weeks ago, an institution requested the curriculum vitae of our brother Alfredo Mires. Thus, we had to review this document where the main studies and activities that he has developed throughout all these years are indicated. However, seeing that this document is usually very precise and does not contemplate all the characteristics and qualities of a person, we decided to send his biography first, which indicates with more fidelity what Alfredo does, writes, studies, what and to whom he is dedicated, among other aspects. And even at that, there is much of his life that we have not managed to make known, not even with all our efforts, that is why I allow myself this note.

Alfredo is addicted to his family, and they are one, in their home life and at work, almost everything they do they do together, as a true community of volunteers.

And in the family of the Rural Libraries Network this same spirit is transmitted: we must all have the same objectives, make a single effort, journey together wherever we have to go.

Alfredo teaches us to read not only books: he teaches us to read nature, time, gestures, everything that surrounds us, even if it is hard for us to learn.

He teaches us to write, to organize ideas, to express ourselves in the most authentic way possible; to leave traces, as he himself says, of our own essence.

He has many qualities: he is demanding in order and cleanliness, because without these two aspects it is impossible to organize.

He is humble and careful in his expressions towards others, but is clear in what he has to say. And he is very creative, innovative: he plays with words with enviable ease, and turns physical spaces into incredibly beautiful and well-used places.

He has many qualities and feelings that would not be listed in his CV or his biography.

Today I just want to highlight a characteristic that, we all know, also has always characterized him and, in this time, is being noticed with more intensity than ever: he is a great fighter and does not give up. We know that he is going through a delicate state of health, but he continues creating and working, celebrating each achievement of the Network and worrying about difficult situations, forgetting that now his priority is himself.

Alfredo, on behalf of all your family and ayllu of the network, we want to thank you for that extensive CV that is not written, but that we all know and feel. We want to tell you that we admire your strength and we are with you. We want to thank you for your existence and the example of not giving up.

Thank you brother for keeping going, for showing us that there is still a lot to walk.

Lola Paredes

II Book Fair in Jaén

Jaén reading, the bicentennial is the motto of the II Jaén Book Fair that took place from 18th to 29th of November.

The Cajamarca Rural Libraries Network has a Library at the “Víctor Andrés Belaúnde” Higher Institute, in Jaén, which was formed at the initiative of Teacher Sara Moreno. Sara is one of the pillars of the Network and she works with great affection and dedication, transmitting the knowledge of reading and its values ​​in relation to the Andean oral tradition. Many students, especially from the Social Sciences career, enjoy the support, accompaniment and training of Sara Moreno and participate in various activities and initiatives that she promotes.

So it is not surprising that Sara and these students were also present at the Book Fair. On Sunday, 21st November, they presented the experience of Rural Libraries of Cajamarca within the framework of the activities programmed at this fair and, throughout the fair, they were presenting our books.

The teacher writes us:

"Our beloved core team,

To share that we had the honour of presenting our beautiful Network for the first time in Jaén. It was a very beautiful morning, we made a little offering to the earth, then we shared our feelings and thoughts about the experience of reading, the network and books.

A teacher is very interested in Rural Libraries in Educational Institutions for Yanuyaco and Sallique. We sold seven books, we hope that in the course of the week we will improve.

Big hugs".

Thank you teacher Sara, Elizabeth Olano, teachers, students and friends, for your work and help, but above all for being part of our family.

Here we are

They wanted to cancel us yet here we are, despite our regrets, walking on the path with a firm step and with enthusiasm; proud of our roots, adapting to the new times, without neglecting our essence.

We still are; we are earth, we are water, we are the air we breathe; descendants of wise men, workers, fighters and, above all, respectful of everything that exists.

Here we are in the Rural Libraries Network, together because that way we are stronger; thanking our mother earth, giving her our appreciation for everything she gives us: the rich potatoes, the ollucos, the ocas, the mashuas, the good wheat, the barley, the corn, the lucmas, the tunas, the custard apples, the blackberries, pushgay, aguaymanto and many other products that remain to be mentioned. We also thank you for being the source of life for guinea pigs, partridges, vizcachas, hummingbirds and more. We thank our apus (sacred mountains) for protecting us from droughts, for acclimating our environment, for brightening the landscape; and we thank our deceased, for being a presence, for always accompanying us.

We are here to share this joy with those who are coming.

1971-2021: Tribute to our Network —11

Our Network has been a home and a place of permanence, a space for learning and a school; with her we have grown in courage and drive, in affection and perseverance. We have remembered our roots, our peasant and community existence. We have known that we are here and we continue on this path with conviction and with the books in the earth.

Tribute to courage and drive —11

A tribute to many fellow coordinators and librarians who continue their efforts in this journey of the Cajamarca Rural Libraries Network, from different areas and communities. From Cutervo, in San Andrés: Mario Sánchez; in Churumayo: Eusebio Silva; in San Juan: Aníbal Segura and Jorge Carrasco. From Celendín: Santos Rodríguez. From the Chota area, in Pión: Custodio Tello; in Cutaxi: Silverio Herrera and in Chalamarca: Rigoberto Vásquez. From the Hualgayoc area, in Ahijadero: Lino Gálvez; in Chala: Víctor Carranza, and in Pújupe: Antero Vásquez.

To them the affection and full recognition!

New spirits, new books, new journeys

Despite the pandemic changing our daily lives, the tasks of the Rural Libraries Network have been recovering their rhythm little by little. New actions and processes have been advanced, new books and new spirits accompany us in this stage - characterized, according to our brother Alfredo Mires Ortiz, by "purges and reinventions, cleanses and purifications."

The Network has several Rural Family Libraries (BR in FA), a new type of library that emerged from the context of the pandemic and that, today, strongly contributes to the fact that books are finding readers in their own homes. The books, the encounters to read are close, very close.

We have been asked for new Rural Libraries in an Educational Institution (BRIE), as is the case of the library in the educational institution of San Pedro, in Chiclayo, coordinated by Professor Marino Torres. We welcome him and his students to this library family.

The books "El campesino y la tierra", by our Contumazá community member Marcos Florián Alcántara, and "El puma al acecho" written by Alfredo Mires Ortiz and Miguel Garnett are now available for exchange.

We thank Francis Bazán and Mauricio Pérez, who gave us a hand in preparing these materials for the rural areas.

Some coordinators have come to Cajamarca, to the Central Office, to bring their already read books and take others, which will circulate among the communities. This movement of books encourages us, the exchange of books as seeds is an essential bastion in the conception of our Network.

We know that our library families continue to read, in addition to developing their work on the farm. They make their offerings to the land, take care of their fields and crops and continue their efforts as volunteers and community members of the Network.

It is very pleasant to meet together despite these times; recognize ourselves as great family of friends, brothers and sisters.

Coming together again

At the beginning of November - when there were not so many new cases of coronavirus here - we had the first face-to-face meeting with the coordinators of the Community Program for the accompaniment of children with projected capacities, after almost two years.

The Community Program at this time has nine peasant coordinators. Two of them could not attend this meeting and, as we were so few and we are all vaccinated, we were able to meet in the Hatun Wasi, the large salon of Rural Libraries, with the windows and doors open. We had also moved the dining room to the open space of the garage so that we could be more comfortable and safe during meals.

It was a truly moving encounter, with deep and enriching feelings at the same time. Being able to speak directly, see each other and share again has done us all very good.

We received and exchanged many experiences, we kept up to date with the achievements and progress of the project and of the children and we confirmed the importance of the work of our volunteers - without the Community Program, children with disabilities in rural communities would have been abandoned throughout the entire pandemic.

Thanks to this team of really great people!

Thank you for your presence, your continuous volunteer work, your dedication and love for the children and families of the Program.

Thanks for the parrots

Don Antonio Goicochea is a San Miguel teacher, a promoter of reading and good ways of teaching children in schools; he is also a producer of teaching materials. "El Antu", as he is affectionately known, is also a writer and, among his productions, a few years ago he published the book "My talking parrot", in which he narrates many stories that occurred in his native San Miguel and elsewhere. 

This entertaining book will soon be in our rural libraries thanks to a donation that Antu himself has made for our Network.

We are recognized for the valuable books we have received. We know that each issue will encourage reading in the communities where they will soon arrive.

Thank you Professor Antonio, for your contribution to our libraries.

Tribute to spirit and drive - 10

There are many women who light up the sky of the Rural Libraries Network of Cajamarca.

We want to praise the loving and constant work of Mrs. Laura Palacios, coordinator of a sector of rural libraries in the communities of the Condorcucho area, in charge of rural women and volunteers from the Cajabamba Network.

Also a recognition to the coordinators of the Rural Libraries in Educational Institutions such as Elizabeth Olano and Sara Moreno, from Jaén; Marleny Olivera, from San Ignacio; Soledad Álvarez, Nalda Malca and Carmen Malca, from Cajabamba; Manuela Vásquez, from Bambamarca; Flor Mendoza, from San Pablo. They represent the commitment and full affection of our great library family.

Fraternal hugs!

1971-2021: Tribute to our Network - 10

The Rural Libraries Network is considered by all its members as a great farm, for this reason it is cared for and respected, it is protected and surrounded.

Our beloved farm has allowed us to cement and relearn the practice of breeding. She has taught us to raise and be raised; through it we learned to recognize that we are earth and to her we go; we are seeds and with them we germinate.

We are hill, puquio and lagoon. We are sky, we are clouds. We are ayllu and full nature.

The Huamán brothers

Javier and Segundo, the Huamán Lara brothers, reaffirm the sense of the great family of the  Rural Libraries Network of Cajamarca, a great family that goes beyond kinship, that appreciates and values everything that exists, that learns in community and who knows how to join forces in good and bad moments.

Javier and Segundo have been with us at the headquarters of the Network. They have come to accompany us, to encourage us, to maintain the little house. They bring us news from the countryside, from the libraries, pleasant folk and also the greetings and enthusiasm of Don Apolinar, Humberto, José, Marcial, Liduvina, Nancy, Elsita, Hernán, Manuel, Guido, Camila and all the members of their family.

Offering to the earth

Our grandparents had a strong connection with the Pachamama and nature. Over time we have learned to ask permission and to give thanks in a show of respect and affection, leaving our offerings. There is always much to thank Mother Earth and our Apus for: for life, for good harvests and for the joy of continuing.

We shared the offering to the land that brothers from Bambamarca made recently; thanks to Lino, who was the one who led the entire offering ceremony, remembering the customs of our ancestors.

From a distance

In the Community Program of the Rural Libraries Network, we usually meet from time to time to organize our activities, train ourselves, define what materials we need to better serve our “Juanitos” (a name that we lovingly choose to refer to children with projectable capacities whom we serve in the communities) and to see the needs that arise.

In these meetings we not only address aspects related to work, but we also talk about our families, the concerns we have, also the beautiful things that happen to us. That is why these meetings, more than work, are meetings to share, like all the meetings of the Network.

In the current context, it has been impossible for us to meet again physically. However, we have managed to find common spaces at the beginning of each month to share, do breathing exercises, read and continue learning.

We recognize the effort of the Community Program team: we all had to learn to use new technologies, many have to find a place for each meeting where there is a signal and we always miss giving each other a hug. But, although many times we have to turn off the cameras to prevent the internet signal from being cut, we know that we are there and we always listen to each other.

Akhulli - Debate: Liberating Reading Experiences in the Andes

A few weeks ago, the Simón Bolívar Andean University, from Ecuador, The Andean Oral History Workshop and the Literature Department of the Higher University of  San Andrés of Bolivia, came together to pay tribute to our Network of Rural Libraries of Cajamarca for the 50 years of its walk in the Andean communities of northern Peru, journeys that the great teacher Patricio Guerrero sums up in his song “Corazonando los Libros de Cajamarca”.

In the debate on the initiatives to rescue oral tradition, libraries and reading, various personalities joined to tell about the actions they carry out in their respective towns in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. Our brother Alfredo Mires presented the experience of the Network and also recalled that, on this same date, 11th September, 1973, the coup d'état against President Salvador Allende took place in Chile, as well as the arrest of the Chilean singer-songwriter Víctor Jara, who days later was vilely murdered after cutting off his fingers and tongue so that he could not play his guitar nor sing his songs. Alfredo said: We must never forget where we come from, nor the legacy of our teachers, of these peoples who managed to survive everything. Bullets cannot destroy communities.”

1971-2021: Tribute to our Network - 9

We continue celebrating our 50th anniversary, remembering that the Cajamarca Rural Libraries Network includes also the active presence of animals. The variety of companions in the Andean world are many: the fox, the puma, the deer, the mangujo, the ulluay, the vizcacha, the eagle, the chilalas, the guyanas, the lic-lic, the guinea pigs, the sheep, the donkeys and the cows; just to mention a few. And how not to recognize and celebrate the presence of our winged god: the hummingbird, source of voices and secrets. We revere the life and the soul that is in our Earth.

Tribute to courage and drive - 9

 

A heartfelt tribute to the constant work of the Yglesias family, from the Hoyada Verde sector, Contumazá province. We are referring to Don Ramiro, his wife Isabel and their children. They, as a family, tend the library work at home. Ramiro Yglesias is a promoter committed to reading circles in the various communities of Contumazá.

Fraternal hugs!

First National Meeting of Peasant Libraries

The National Library of Peru and the Bartolomé de las Casas Centre, in Cusco, organized the First National Meeting of Peasant Libraries, on 14th and 15th September, with the aim of generating a space to share experiences and reflect on the role of reading and the library in rural areas.

Representatives of libraries from the departments of Lambayeque, Lima, Cusco and Ayacucho participated in this meeting, and a tribute was paid to the Rural Libraries Network and our brother Alfredo Mires, who participated by recounting the experience of the Network in the discussion “The role of the book and the library in the rural area.” At the thematic table: "Challenges and Possibilities of Peasant Libraries", our sister Lola Paredes participated.

At the end of his participation, Alfredo mentioned that "Respect and humility have to be components that mark coherence and consequence."

We appreciate these meetings and gatherings.

Afternoons of coffee and action

To liven up our afternoons, fill us with energy and enliven the conversation by recalling anecdotes from the great library family, or making plans for the future, coffee brings us together, another blessed fruit, cultivated with great dedication and commitment in Cajamarcan lands.

Thank you brothers, Aníbal Segura and Jorge Carrasco, from the community of San Juan, in Cutervo, for sharing with us. We not only enjoy the great taste of coffee and the pleasure of preparing it, but also your affection and, as someone says: "Who loves you, gives you coffee."

Winged snakes and puma people

A few weeks ago a large package arrived from Germany: Kyra Grewe, a friend of ours and of the network for years, had sent us her book Winged Serpents and Puma People, "her child", as she likes to calls it. It is a book in German, but more Peruvian than many other Peruvian books I have read ...

In approximately 300 pages, Kyra shares with her reader her travels to Peru. Although she visits and describes many tourist places, she invites us, above all, to accompany her on what could be called her inner journey into deep Peru.

Kyra's book is criticism, reflection and testimony. It is opening, searching and finding. It is unlearning and relearning. It is solidarity, community and ayllu (family).

It is a description of an immense inner change that requires the ability to open up to something new, unknown, something that inspires, but also invokes fear and insecurity. It's the story of your meeting, Kyra, with a little light at the end of the tunnel. And that light was turned on by thousands of community members of Cajamarca, nights around the fire, shared meals, mingas, walks, laughter.

And above all: laughter and the possibility of laughing at yourself. In many moments, Kyra's humour, her capacity for self-criticism, to tell with sarcasm and details of her multifaceted encounters with the Andean world, drew a big smile on my face. And at many other times, they made me burst out laughing.

Thank you, Kyra, for your sensitivity, your love for our people, for the Rural Libraries Network. I am honoured that you have allowed me to share this journey with you, sister. I admire your frankness, your path, your devotion. You are simply great… and so is your book. Hopefully soon we will be lucky enough to have it also in Spanish!

Rita mocker

Love and destiny

After a long time and a long confinement due to the pandemic, for Fiestas Patrias we were able to visit our family who lives on the north coast, in the countryside. It is a very beautiful place, surrounded by trees and crops where iguanas, lizards, parrots, hummingbirds and, of course, cats and dogs also live.

When we arrived, one of the dogs had given birth: eight beautiful puppies came out to meet us and conquered our hearts. So, as a family, we took on the task of caring for these little creatures and their mother.

During the week we spent on the farm, the pups grew up and began to play. We heard their barking when we get up and we felt their tiny little tongues caressing our bare feet when we approached them.

From our experience we know that puppies in the mountains are also highly appreciated: many times, people even exchange a puppy for a guinea pig or a hen to have company and someone to take care of the house. So we decided to take the eight puppies and find homes for them.

Along the way, our brother Ramiro Yglesias and his family, from Contumazá, received four of the pups, and in Cajamarca we quickly found a new home for another three. There was a little macho left ...

Then it occurred to us to put a picture of the puppy on the "networks" ... and almost instantly we received a notice from Sócota (in the province of Cutervo), which is about seven hours from Cajamarca: Wilson, a child from the Community Program, wanted to have the puppy.

So we had to organize the puppy's trip. With several stopovers and many hands that took care of him along the way, the little dog arrived safely at his destination. He is now accompanying Wilson… and, as you can see, it is an extraordinary affection.

Mara, Rumi, Alfredo and Rita

1971-2021: Tribute to our Network - 8

May the minga and the meeting not end, may we continue together to celebrate the bond with the land; may our books also continue to be guides for what we do.

May the strength of our communities continue to keep us warm and remember that we are here and here we continue.