The agents of Moraza are two friends: By Nerea Alzaga and Luis Angel Arroyo. Both have promoted the resurgence of the people and have created a blog about the people, one of the first among those around them. Subsidies have also been obtained for the repair of the roof of the Church of San Juan, which was closed. They are also pioneers in this.
The 12th-century Romanesque church of San Juan de Moraza, one of the oldest in Treviño, has been closed for twenty years on the verge of collapse. Alzaga explains that the attempt to solve it began last year: "It's the first time we've asked for a grant, we've been bothered a lot, and a lot of people told us it wasn't worth it, they wouldn't give it to us, they discouraged us." But they took a huge surprise in January when the Burgos Provincial Council approved 70% of the aid and the Vitoria-Gasteiz Episcopate the rest. "We told the neighbors in March, and they didn't believe it, now they've believed it, when they've started putting up the scaffolding. They are very happy and there is a desire to do more. The initiative has served to unite the people," said Arroyo. They should talk to the Episcopate about the use of the church, but they would like it to be at least a place for the people to gather.
In order to tell the story of what happened in the village, they have also created a blog, like the Urizaharrakos that are next to them: "Administratively we are in Treviño, but we make contacts and initiatives with Urizaharra, and they have a blog; we have also created it to tell the things that happen in the town, they are few, but it is worth it."
The Evicted Village
The generation of Arroyo and Alzaga has been responsible for the repair and care of toilet services. “My parents arrived in the village about 40 years ago,” explains Arroyo. At that time Moraza was evacuated and little by little the houses began to be repaired." Most of the houses are currently occupied.In the winter there are five open houses where ten people are registered. "During the summer more people come, we will gather around 25," recalls Alzaga. In this way, the town has regained its life and young couples with children have begun to go to Moraza as well.
They carry out work in the neighborhood twice a year and also participate in other initiatives, such as Corrica in March. “A lot of people get involved. Four of us stayed this week to tidy up the church field, and half of the population has appeared." There will be a double celebration in the field being cleaned this weekend: The Morazas will celebrate the festivities of the town and the repair of the roof of the church of San Juan.
This article has been published by Alava Alea and we have contributed it thanks to the Creative Commons license.