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INPRIMATU
Uxue Alberdi. Writing two decades (II)
What does the cricket tell us?
  • In the previous article we analyzed the literary trajectory of Uxue Alberdi. So we talk about prose adult literature, and today we talk about hybrid books, illustrated albums, illustrated verses and comics. Adults often live in prejudices and lose beautiful, deep and special materials for this reason. We used to throw away any material that is made with images, as we think they are made for children (and because we generally give little value to children's literature). And we went because we have the child forgotten, or because we pay little attention to our inner son, we think those books are not for us.
Ainhoa Aldazabal Gallastegui 2024ko martxoaren 25a

Alberdi is a writer who has made numerous contributions to children's literature. Among others, the books In exchange for your time (Elkar, 2013), illustrated by Maite Mutuberria, and Txikitzen zareten (Pamiela, 2013), illustrated by Aitziber Akerreta, speak about childhood and paternity. The adult world stands upside down when it comes to children's eyes. The books of the Lur eta amets collection were published between 2015-2016 and the two protagonists will find them in various historical passages of the Basque Country. The wonderful Zorri with Axpie (Elkar, 2022) or La belle (Elkar, 2022) illustrated by Bruno Hidalgo are some of the latest publications.

But he has also done interesting, original, different and realized works for the soul, both for adults and for children in the house. We will focus on them.

Continuing with the previous article, we will look at the last book he has published. Because, without being an illustrated album, it gets hybridized. As he himself says, the anecdotes just presented by the writer in his book The Ear Cricket (Elkar, 2023) are orally numbered, ears and written. The stories cover a whole century and, therefore, it is also an exercise in memory and transmission, as issues that cannot be written anywhere are often narrated orally. Anecdotes have been illustrated by Begoña Durruti and are available on the net. Listening is the main exercise Uxue Alberdi has made in this book before writing and that orality is what he wanted to convey in writing. In the words of the author, it is a work as a game, but each story is required a large number of tools to create its own tone, phrases, rhythm, cadence, and it is not a slow challenge. We have tested it in a group of readers and I can say that it has had a great welcome. They like it, they say it has freshness and they feel identified, they laugh and even are surprised. Other books, such as the Game of Armchairs, Jenisjoplin, The Opposite Throat and The Post-Store, are also books based on listening exercises. But then each one has taken a different form.

The illustrated album Besarkada (Elkar, 2015), illustrated by Maite Gurrutxaga, is very special. The texts are shaped like old cocks: in the first two stanzas an image of nature appears (wind, poppy, river, blue flower, water...). In the second strokes the message is more direct, in this case related to the hug. It produces a good poetic effect, because these coplas transmit affection, tenderness, intimacy. It is a book that someone can read to someone, it seems to me that the adult can read to the little one or the lover, or that the little one can read to both his father and his cousin. Because Alberdi proposes a trip and from the first to the last one a change is made: You have made me a small space/between your arms (1) and would you like a small space between my arms? (10). In this way, those who read start to “ask” for a hug and end up reading “offering” a hug. This book fills your mouth. The song created with the music of Rubén Caballero and the voices of Alberdi and Eñaut Elorrieta fill the heart. The dream song immerses you in deep peace. With this book Uxue Alberdi won the Euskadi Prize for Children and Youth Literature in 2016. But it can be a gift not only for children and young people, but for anyone you want.

Just take the book Poza (Elkar, 2018) we will find that he is curious. It is published in extraordinary format (narrow and long), with colorful illustrations of Eider Eibar. It is no less, because the book is made up of verses of joy. It's joyful and light, lyrical. With images and word games. It talks about very small things in life, which make us very big smiles. With music from Iban Urizar you can listen in the form of a song on the net. Very tasty.

The book Hili (Elkar, 2021) has been illustrated by Araitz Mesanza. Black illustrations on white background perfectly complete the letters. The book includes questions and reflections on life and death. Some are demanding. Philosophical and deep mostly. When do we start to die? Or is death the other way around? Or what's after death? – nothing – and a little further? There are references related to the universe showing its own cosmogony: Do the dead in the stars turn off in the morning? Or do those in heaven not fall? And it encourages us to imagine what the death of animals will look like with questions of humor: Are dead birds buried in the sky? Or do the snails die more slowly than the hares? Alberdi also asks us how stones, wind, rain die. The book contains many unanswered questions. It can also be found in video format on the network and can be a very useful material. Death is a book for reading children and adults in a taboo society. The book smiles at us as the gut contracts and excites our hearts.

Finally, we will talk about the first comic that Alberdi has written: Surflaria (Ikastolen elkartea, 2023). The images have been made by the illustrator Susana Martín, who has made various comics. Surfer is a work on life and death. The authors present a situation in which past and present are mixed. They will confuse existentialism and humor. It is a readable comic book quickly, but it has reason to read it calmly. Because the metaphor with images, the use of colors and the themes they're dealing with have a slower tempo. Xabiroi magazine was initially published in eight sections and in album format in 2023. I think it's didactic, profound and necessary.

Story, novel, essay or chronicle. Illustrated coplas, illustrated albums or comics. Children and youth literature, anecdote and anecdote. Some translations not mentioned. Alberdi has written dozens of books in two decades. We hope to have the attendees. Because it is certain that the writer is still living.