Is there a science fiction (Zi-Fi) in Basque? A woman writing a book? Are you feminists among our books?
Two weekends ago in Bilbao it was Anable Fest: I. Feminist Science Fiction Conference. The first round table was dynamized by Arrate Hidalgo: “Basque writers in cii-fi: a special reading”. They started with Mayi Pelot, mentioned several narratives of Itxaro Borda and ended with the World we carry in the Heart of Maite Darceles, which we will discuss in these lines. Then Ana I. Morales and Josune Muñoz, by Eider Rodriguez, made a dramatic reading of the story I would rather not lie.
In our unstandardized language and literature, there are still notable gaps, including some supposedly small and supposedly invaluable literary genres. Therefore, Darceles’ contribution is also to be welcomed, as there are few (women) who write the Ci-Fi.
Zi-fi is often very useful to look at society, to exorcise the fears of the time and to denounce what we don't like, so it's no wonder that Darceles appeals to the world that he carries in his heart, to build a better world and criticize the present and imagining a near future.
When we are aware of the power relations and the violation of rights, we can awaken the desire to change the world. This is what we can find in the previous non-fictional book of this author: Guidelines for transformation (2009). Written with the intention of making the world of work more democratic and participatory and which is the basis of the work we discuss.
The protagonist is Lorea, a young idealist who is dedicated to painting. He is very curious and for his thesis he is exploring in the past when he discovers a revolution erased from history. You will know the whims of your world: control and punishment through technology, command of machines and manipulation of information, regulatory and unifying function of leisure.
Just as the black novel makes a social critique through killings, science fiction can do so from the future. Although the pillars and goals of this work are too present, it seems advisable to awaken awareness and reflection among young people. And maybe also to be an incentive to imagine possible futures.