On 24 December, 15 years of the occupation of the Astra de Gernika will be completed and they have joined the Ephemeris and have announced that they will continue to work despite the pandemic. “If going to work is safe, going to a cultural initiative or a meeting, taking security measures. And we don’t want to leave all cultural programming in the hands of institutions, we need self-managed space programs.”

They have also ensured that Astra is already in place and will be, as the community that joins and organizes in the building is preparing in a program adapted to these times. This Saturday’s hearing also revealed the events organized at the restored factory in the next three months, with the screening of concerts, film screenings, book presentations and other activities.

They have also anticipated that an economic campaign will soon be launched with the aim of ensuring the sustainability of Astra.

In addition to reporting on the current situation of the project, they recalled that “we are at risk of losing the job, or we have lost it, for example, the hospitality workers”; they added that “evictions have not stopped; that there are many residents without papers and homelessness; that we do not know if we will have money to pay for rent or mortgage” and also launched a message addressed to “politicians and public institutions”. “Don’t spend money on cement works and decorations that we don’t need. Prioritize what is necessary, the needs necessary for people.”

The motto of the hearing, however, is to convey a message of optimism: “You can always; you can always, there is always a way to do; let’s make the way between gaps, let’s keep the most beautiful: life, meeting, enjoyment of culture, creativity, struggle, solidarity, dreaming,” they said.