“Just as the natural environment around us is a refuge for the Sakanarras, libraries are also a refuge: hostels for people of different ages and cultures.” The librarian of the library of Altsasu, Elena Aristorena Adrian, has noticed the campaign they carried out in the region during the month of November: Sakana libraries, natural hostels. Seven libraries in the region have organized the program in collaboration with the Public Libraries Network of Navarra. The goal? Open the doors of libraries to animals, plants, forests and forests in the area.

Valuing local wealth

“Each people has its uniqueness in the Sakana, as far as nature is concerned. There are, for example, the robles centenarians of Urdiain, the extensive hayedos of Olazti, the unique amphibians of Altsasu or the forests of Arbizu…”. Librarians have organized workshops to value the riches of each people and work with children. Among others. The workshops have been carried out by the forestry company Lur Geroa de Irurtzun, travelling.

In addition to children, there have also been activities for adults. In Altsasu they have held a workshop with Laura Gurbiondo on medicinal herbs in the area, and in Ziordia they have learned to prepare ointments in the workshop given by Aintzane Ostelatza.

Nature and art united

As it is an initiative organized by libraries, the literary space cannot be missed. In Altsasu and Olazti have had literary encounters on books related to nature: The forests I have inside Juan Goñi and the Everest of Ion Berasategi. Because this is where they were presented in the two libraries. On 21 November, the documentary Aralar, mundua leku den lurra was projected in Arbizu.

The librarian of Altsasu is generally satisfied with the citizen’s response: “People appreciate that libraries also organize cultural things and that they are not just places to come, learn and take books. Libraries should serve as reference points, spaces for exchange and organization of events”.