Three books

The tribute paid to Alfredo Mires a year after his departure last October 16th, in the auditorium of the Rural Libraries, was emotional, well attended and reflective. Verses, photos, videos, books and flowers provided the atmosphere to accompany the attendees with the simplicity and regional touch of always. Three posthumous books brought us back to Alfredo, artist, communicator and poet, books that were presented by three recognized collaborators of our Network.

The plastic artist Daniel Cotrina Rowe introduced us to the recreational world of Las mandalas del Ñaupa, an album to colour and complete. Of Indian origin, mandalas are representations of the geometric order of the universe and, in this book by Alfredo, they are adapted to the local iconographies of the wise and old Ñaupa to, in addition, contribute to disseminate the images with which we identify ourselves and to reflect on the value of the cosmic knowledge of our ancestors.

Alfredo's companion for more than three decades, Rita Mocker, was in charge of presenting the booklet Dear Eduardo, Dear Alfredo, a series of moving letters between the famous Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano and Alfredo Mires. Letters marked by respect, solidarity and social commitment in his last years of life. Letters that gain validity by sharing the hope for a better future for Latin America - because Eduardo and Alfredo were not united by illness but by the effort against adversity and by using knowledge as a key to be freer and better citizens.

The collection of their poems in eight sections under the title Cómo acostarse indeciso i despertar a arriesgarse (How to go to bed undecided and awaken to risk) attests to the lyrical vein that accompanied Alfredo since his adolescence, as well as his permanent interest in creating with words. In the presentation, I, Daniel Saenz More, literary researcher and personal friend of the author, gives an account of the series of binomials love-unlove, life-death, absences-presences, among others, which are dressed with autobiographical airs to denounce, question and excite. In them transpires the conscience of a new humanity, of opening the eyes to a new awakening of solidarity in which liberation through love and the struggle for social justice are possible.

Three books and three ways to remember and read ñaupa Alfredo forever.

Daniel Saenz More