Remembrance Square Gets underway in Tolosa, the first stop of this exhibition in Gipuzkoa

The Remembrance Square travelling exhibition started today in Tolosa (Gipuzkoa). The Director of the Institute for Remembrance, Coexistence and Human Rights – GOGORA, Aintzane Ezenarro, this afternoon opened the citizen participation initiative that seeks to compile and showcase accounts of what happened in the Basque Country in recent decades in order to construct a shared and pluralistic memory. The exhibition can be visited in Plaza del Triángulo in Tolosa until 15 March.

It is the first municipality of Gipuzkoa to host the Remembrance Square initiative. The dignitaries at the opening ceremony included the Provincial Chairman of Gipuzkoa, Markel Olano, and the Mayor of Tolosa, Olano Peón, along with several municipal representatives. Local residents and several victims were also at the ceremony.

The Gogora Director, Aintzane Ezenarro, explained that this exhibition seeks to be an open channel for anyone to give their account, tell what they experienced and share their emotions. At the same time, it aims to be a space to showcase the pluralistic memories gathered so far in Gogora, the memory of the victims and the memory of the citizens.

Ezenarro called on local resident to contribute what they remember and take part in the dialogue and critical reflection opportunity through this initiative.

EXHIBITION VENUE

Until 15 March, the marquee erected in the Plaza del Triángulo will host this exhibition structured into the following areas:

o Account recording area: visitors to the exhibition can record or write in situ their accounts of what they remember.

o Account videos: visitors can listen to the accounts of victims of Franco’s dictatorship, terrorism and the victims coming under Decree 107/2012.

o Screening and discussion area: two documentaries will be screened and group dynamics and talks will be organised:

o Message mural: visitors to the exhibition can leave a written message on a mural and also in an urn, to be kept at the Gogora Institute and to be published on the Remembrance Square website.

Local schoolchildren are expected to visit the marquee in the mornings.

PROGRAMME

The Gogora Director unveiled the programme for Tolosa:

o 7.30 p.m. on 10 March: Round table: Passing Down the Memory to Future Generations. With the participation of Andoitz Korta, Iñaki García Arrizabalaga and Pili Zabala.

o 7.00 p.m. on 14 March: Round table: The Tolosa Memory with the participation of former mayors.

REMEMBRANCE SQUARE BACKGROUND

Started in June 2015, the Remembrance Square initiative has involved, on the one hand, gathering accounts and emotions directly from the general public, and, on the other hand, getting discussion groups to address remembrance. After this first phase, the Gogora Institute has begun to showcase and expand these pluralistic memories by creating spaces for anyone who wishes to contribute their account. The first stop for this travelling exhibition was Bilbao in early February, followed by Durango. The Remembrance Square will get underway today in Tolosa and can be visited until 15 March.