CATACRAS

Location: Pamplona, Gran Vía 54.

Activity: Book sales, hospitality and cultural offer.

Number of members 11.

Xabier Maeztu is a cook, but he never has to work on Sundays and holidays. Neither he nor his peers. Despite having studied to be a computer scientist, he has been learning the new trade practically and gradually. Anyway, he often has to leave the knife and the apron and solve problems of computer or connection; he is not a chef of a traditional restaurant, but a member of the “political company” Katakrak of Pamplona, which in addition to cantina has a multipurpose bookstore and room.

In total there are eleven members of the cooperative and all work in Katakrak: some as booksellers, others in the kitchen or in the activity of waiters. “We think it is interesting that this initiative can be carried out professionally and create jobs,” says Maeztu. With paid work, but through an assembly the project they have created in the Gran Vía del Casco Viejo de Pamplona has been shaped. The most important decisions are taken at this Tuesday’s meeting, taking into account the views of all members.

In just over a year, Katakrak has become a benchmark meeting point and is having an "excellent welcome". Both the hall and the canteen they use for conferences, press conferences, etc., are often full of people. However, it is difficult to understand this success without knowing the origin of the project. In 2006, several people from popular movements in Pamplona created La Hormiga Atomico with the objective of influencing the city’s politics through books. The one who started spinning the paper soon became a cafeteria and a social center, and made a “fruitful” five-year trajectory, becoming a cooperative along the way.

They've also created Katakrak based on values and ways of doing similar to what they were then, with working groups, locals and bigger challenges. On the way they have not lost any connection with popular movements, which has allowed the initial intentions to materialize. In fact, in order to be able to launch the project, they had to purchase the current premises, with a significant investment. “We get some of the money from lending to an ethical bank, while another part is made up of personal loans from friends, family, etc. and contributions by crowdfunding”.

Its day-to-day dynamic is just as remarkable as funding. In addition to deciding on the distribution of working hours, they also have a rotation system. “Knowing the need of peers and peers is important to put them on their skin.” That is why they have decided not to open weekends and holidays. According to Maeztu: “Opening the bookstore on Sunday would be unfair competition, and if that stays closed, it’s just as fair as others have a party as well. These days are good for the bar or the canteen, but our values are above money.”

“We’d like to change all of this” says the lid of the window that looks at the Gran Vía. In this regard, it has already been demonstrated that there are other ways of working, relating and carrying out an initiative.