It's hard to say goodbye to a friend to leave our land a little better to a friend of a thousand scrolls and a thousand efforts. That's why we tell you it until later. We say it to you in a low voice, because you know that you are always in our memory and in every struggle we undertake, in what you would not know how to say no.

You did not object to being a member of the Permanent Social Forum, and it was more than a nominal member. He taught us to work enthusiastically for those who know he is right. Your impulse made this cause one of those you won, the one we all win and that Euskal Herria won for the process of building peace and democratic coexistence.

But as well as being a combatant, you knew that human causes require a human relationship, mutual care, and so you were encouraged to meet with a wine after each meeting, especially after the most complex.

You always told us that the mission of the Forum was one of the most difficult fights you have ever done. We had to deal with a lot of hard contexts and avoid a lot of flip flops, which, of course, influenced internal discussions. But perhaps the main legacy of the Social Forum has been a culture of agreement, prioritizing consensus and respecting discrepancies. A way to do the things that the school has created in other struggles that are happening today.

You've lived life and enjoyed making others always enjoy you. That is why you remind us of the following lines that Eduardo Galeano wrote for people like you in the "Book of Hugs":

"Each person shines among everyone with their light. There are no two equal fires. There are big fires, small fires and fires of all colors. There are people of quiet fire that don't take care of the wind, and people of wild fire that filled the air with sparks. Some stupid fires don't illuminate or burn, others burn their lives in such a way that they can't be watched without flashing, and what's approaching lights up.

Thank you, Juanje, for you have kindled us and your memory, which is also presence, keeps our flame alive.

Former members of the Permanent Social Forum: Fernando Armendariz, Expe Iriarte, José Luis Uriz, Terexa Fagoaga, Txemi Pérez, Teresa Toda, Roberto Oiz, Félix Jiménez, Santi Begiristain, Taxio Arrizabalaga, Eneko Calle and Agus Hernán.