23 February

On 23 February, Alfredo Mires would have turned 65. His subtle humour, his storytelling ability, and the way he drew me into the fascination of his thoughts made me see the world through different eyes. It is something I miss deeply. That is why, so often, I read and reread his writings. Today I would like to share an excerpt from one of Alfredo’s many lectures with you.

Memory lies at the nucleus of a people’s identity, but that nucleus must be opened up, for the legal record is like a shell that suffocates it. Hence the value of maieutics, the art of helping to give birth, of bringing forth what is dearest to the heart. For memory need not be subject to domination when it possesses the independence of a committed heart and the vigour of an indomitable spirit (let me take this opportunity to pay public tribute to squirrels: it seems they do indeed possess a fruitful forgetfulness, for as they do not always remember where they have buried their nuts, they are responsible, year after year, for the birth of hundreds of thousands of trees).

Thank you, Alfredo, for your teachings, for your presence amongst us, for accompanying us on our journey, always.

Rita

Upbringing, ayllu and apus

From 19 to 21 February 2026, we gathered at the General Assembly with the coordinators of the Rural Libraries, the teachers from the Rural Libraries in educational institutions, some volunteers, the central team and the Permanent Council of the Rural Libraries Network of Cajamarca. Days of minga, book swaps, laughter, learning, reading and reflection.

At this assembly, we took plenty of time to understand where we come from, what we can contribute to society and how being part of the Network shapes us. 

At Rural Libraries, we learn the profound meaning of CRIANZA (upbringing). For when we speak of rural libraries, we speak of the Andes, and thus of crianza: the cultivation of potatoes and other foods, seeds, plants and small animals; crianza implies care and protection, conversation and attunement with life.

But Rural Libraries is also AYLLU, understood as an extended family, the community of those who love and respect one another. Ayllu are the mountains and lakes, the trees, the stones that are alive and converse; the hummingbirds, like ‘winged gods’, the small animals, the humans or runes: all are part of this great Andean librarian family.

And, likewise, Rural Libraries has taught us that the APUS, our sacred mountains, possess strength and vitality; they are and exist, they accompany us and converse with us. They are Wak’a mountains, protectors and guardians, a place where the power of the community manifests itself.

Being part of Rural Libraries is, then, all of that. And it is our desire and duty to continue teaching and sharing this way of seeing and living life.

That's right!

A few weeks ago, we saw a post on Instagram: a carnival mask featuring a ñaupita character. The painting was done by artist Kim-Libélula.

As a team, we immediately reviewed the post because we know that many people and institutions make use of the work, the product of the arduous research of our late brother Alfredo Mires, and never mention the source, much less acknowledge the artistic author of the drawings published in the iconography books of the Rural Libraries Network. As an example, let's look at the posters of the Cajamarca carnival... But this time was different because the painter mentions that she made her mask with Alfredo Mires' iconography, so we are happy to continue sharing the vast legacy that Alfredo left us.

We sincerely recognise Kim-Libélula's work and her respect for the work of others.

Long-time friends

In the midst of preparations for our first assembly of the year, we received a pleasant visit.

Jerónimo and Clara, friends of Esperanza TM, came to share fond memories with us, talk about our work in libraries, and rethink new horizons in this ever-changing world.

Thank you, dear friends, for your trust, your solidarity and support, and for always accompanying us. Our journey becomes easier; our spirits are lifted by your kind words, good humour, sincere actions, admiration and respect.

You are always welcome in this great family of yours, the Rural Libraries Network.

The wig

With such sorrow, life went bald. She was ashamed to walk around like that. So she gathered bits of joy and made herself a wig.

Life is beautiful when she wears her hair like that.

But there is a lot of wind in the world.

Alfredo Mires

in: The Goblin of the Labyrinth

Helping hands...

Our first General Assembly of the year is approaching. At the meeting, our coordinator colleagues will bring the reissues of the first nine volumes of the Peasant Library collection in the series: We, the People of Cajamarca, as well as other titles that we know are of interest to readers in rural libraries because they contain topics that can be applied to their daily activities, complementing their ancestral knowledge. 

These books have been prepared with the support of a team of volunteers from both the central office and a group of friends who have joined our cause. Their support has been essential in achieving our goal.

Thank you to Cintia, María, Nathalie, Sandra, Andrea, Emma, Juan Andrés, Brenda, Auris, Rodrigo, Jaylli, Graciela, Bruno, Paul, Brandon and the entire central team of the Network for contributing to our rural libraries.

Being community members

Even the antonyms of the word united sound unpleasant: disunited, disorganised, alone, separated, scattered, abandoned... Words that are the opposite of together hurt: divided, disconnected, distant, estranged, alienated, marginalised, isolated, cut off...

Words such as union, affinity, joining, grouping, team, minga, junction, neighbour, empathy are so powerful. And not only powerful, but also beautiful and vivid are words such as family, home, shelter, pachaque. Community: what fulfilment, what strength!

(…)

Excerpt from the introduction written by Alfredo Mires

for the book by the Rural Libraries Network, Ser comuneros (Being Community Members).