In 2021 we began to hear the first echoes of the Guggenheim Urdaibai project. The then General Manager Unai Rementeria told us that it would be done yes or yes. To reinforce his claims, he left 40 million euros “shielded” by the time the museums were built. There it is! There they are, in the repository of Infraestructure SL. Time has passed since then, and Elixrespond Etxanobe has also arrived at the Provincial Council. It was there that he found the Guggenheim Urdaibai project on the table. Excuse me... idea, idea, idea... Eider, remember it's just an idea!

In these four years, we have asked for the project, we have asked for explanations, we have asked for responsibilities, we have asked for meetings, we have asked for help (here and there) and we have asked for a participatory process, yes... that is, in the face of the imposing positions shown, we have asked to expand the processes necessary to guarantee the rights of citizens, to put in place, to respect the Aarhus Convention. We went out on the street twice. We filled the streets of Guernica. In two. We've asked them to listen to us, to listen to the people. This was our motto during the October demonstration: Here's the village. Hey, listen to me!

Meanwhile, the administration, deaf and dumb, secretly behind the lack of project. On the other hand, they have squeezed out the media that belong to everyone: praising the “supposed” benefits that the project (forgive me again, ideas...) will bring. Campaign for “Artifact” (so I won’t get my legs up). Firmly, seriously, often using lies, and sometimes half truths: “The decontamination of the land and the aquifer, the extraction of the Astillero from the heart of the Biosphere Reserve will come from the hand of this project...” What a bargain! The Guggenheim Foundation will invest a fortune in Busturialdea! How lucky we are! Wake up one, two, three...! The reality is the opposite. The foundation will use our money to spread it. Words are also part of the campaign. The only way for the public to accept the project. The bus. The bus. Swallowing everything or misery. The strategy.

The platform has worked hard to reveal all this, to denounce it. To inform the population, to mobilize... and look! Late, very late, but here we are, in front of the listening process that will get underway right away.

But, be careful! This process of listening comes late, without any guarantee and with great contradictions.

- Too late: Because there are many decisions made about this project: the locations of the museums, the name of the franchise that will exploit them, as well as the laws and regulations that will be modified to make them viable. Agreement signed.

Lack of guarantee: We have been told clearly that, as long as this process continues, work will continue to be carried out to achieve viability. In the style of the invading rulers that are fashionable in the world: if the talks begin on the path of peace, but in the meantime, throw some bombs to continue stealing the land. Well, it doesn't seem fair! If there was a real will, these actions would have to stop. The strategy. And what is key in any process: For what purpose? For what purpose is such a process carried out? If there was a real will, to consider and respect the opinion of the citizens. To pay attention to what has been said. If there was a strategy, not a will, to neutralize the critical part of the society that opposes it. To get back the streets they've lost. To eliminate the signs of imposition. The strategy. “You asked to listen and we listened. We’ve never been more committed.” Fuck you! Fuck you! It has been clearly stated that the outcome of the process will not be binding. So, no guarantees! Not one of them!

So many contradictions!

On the one hand, neutrality. In fact, hire the Agirre Presidente Center created by the PNV and say that the process will be neutral? I'm sorry, but we'll see that on the road. On the other hand, the purpose of the process: on 14 February, during the presentation of the process, Bengoetxea and Etxanobe told us that the Basque Government and the Biscay Provincial Council would promote a process of listening to the Guggenheim project in the Busturialdea Urdaibai region, while the representatives of the Agirre Presidente Center said that they would carry out a process of listening to the future of Busturialdea Urdaibai. One assignment and two messages. Which will be the first or the second? Or both at the same time? I want to talk about the “artifact” and the black future that it would bring to the region. Well, then what?

Don’t forget that in February the region was declared a Priority Action Area (LJE) to decide on the prosperous future of Busturialdea. In December, the strategic socio-economic plan was launched and is currently in phase 2 or 3. We also participated in the December session. So, “No Guggenheim Urdaibai in this forum.” That it was not the forum for that, that the GU would have its own forum. They told me so, and not in a good tone, by the way. A socio-economic plan that has been put into operation, leaving aside the opinion of the population; it is nothing more than a plan parallel to the main plan to justify the amount of money that will be invested in the Guggenheim Urdaibai project. Excuse me. Give me 100 million euros and put the participants in the search for six tractor projects to invest them. Keep the region entertained. Meanwhile, in the tracheat-trachea, the “artifact” advances. The strategy.

And this time, then what? Is it not only the necessity of the “artifact” that will be dealt with in this listening? Or the “artifact”, but among other things? You don’t want to confuse everything now and leave the Guggenheim dilute between ideas, other real needs and important concerns, do you? The strategy.

Also pay attention to the sample account! 1,000 people are many if we limit ourselves to Busturialdea, but it is small if we extend it to the Basque Country. The EITB and other media outlets have soon made public an email so that those who want to give their opinion can register. Will the limit be set? The Busturialdea. The strategy.

The situation is complex. To be taken with caution. Let's play, but with a lot of seriousness and care. Without forgetting who the contractors of this process are, knowing that they have a purpose. Recalling that the President Agirre Center has received a contract commission. And it is clear that the process will not be binding and that regulatory changes will continue as long as the process continues.

We'll see. Everything's there to see. The train's running, and we're on the inside. We'll see if we get to the finish line or if we have to get down first. That wouldn't be good news.

Attention, we will be very attentive to all the steps that are taken. And of course, if there were instrumentation, we would terminate the participation.

It doesn't seem easy, no! But come on, Busturialdea! Let's give our opinion! Let them hear aloud again what the desire of the majority of society is and, this time, let them document it. Not to forget.

Urdaibai is not for sale! Not even with the price negotiated!

Courtesy of Eider Gotxi