In 1976 it was first published in Milan Arturo and Clementina. They are some of the protagonists most known and illustrated by Nella Bosnia and have been created by feminist writer and researcher Adela Turin. Now, almost 40 years later, these two famous turtles (also the elephants of Rose and Smooth) speak to us in Basque, and although time has passed, unfortunately these books have not lost their relevance. In fact, Adela Turin and Nella Bosnia published these and other works in the “Neskatilen alde” collection. Making a critique of the Machista society, stories for progressive and revolutionary boys and girls emerged in the line of feminist critique; presented as alternatives to the Machista society, the Machista children's literature.

 

For example, Arturo and Klementina tell us the story of a pair of turtles. Turtles living happy to marry, Arthur working away from home, Klementina at home, doing homework and waiting for her husband. Problems arise when Clementine wants to do other things. He wants to paint, travel, play music… and then Arturo will teach him over and over again that it does not work, that he is not able to do those things, that it is better to listen to music at home, see pictures… And so, Klementina’s life is getting heavier, more miserable.

 

With this example, easy to understand and which at the same time keeps a distance through the personification of animals, children will rush to assimilate the message that appears in the book; to reflect on the division of roles between men and women, the freedom of women and the need for their own development… and all in this history, similarity, simplicity and brevity of two turtles.

 

The didactic objective of these books is evident in this sense, but also the way to tell the story, the rhythm of the narration or the characterization of the protagonists are achievements and worked. Through his actions we will meet Arturo, for his attitude, Klementina. And so at first, a happy, dreaming, hopeful partner is becoming a broken couple as the pages go by. To the same extent and pace as the reader disseminates the reflection on changes and events.

 

It's been almost 40 years since Arthur and Klementina appeared, but we still needed them. It is to be congratulated, in this sense, that this work, classic in modern children's literature, can also be read in Euskera, and thank Fernando Rey for his translation. We will come to read it as a simple story!