Vitoria-Gasteiz hosts the first stage of the Remembrance Square travelling exhibition in Alava

The GOGORA director, Aintzane Ezenarro, this afternoon opened the Remembrance Square travelling exhibition in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the first stage in Alava of this citizen participation initiative that seeks to compile and present accounts of what happened in the Basque Country in recent decades. The exhibition can be visited in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca square until 24 April.

The Mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Gorka Urtaran, the Alava Provincial Council Chairman, Ramiro Gasteiz, municipal representatives, residents of Vitoria-Gasteiz and several victims were at the opening 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.

The GOGORA director called on local residents to contribute what they remember and take part in the dialogue and critical reflection opportunity through this initiative.

The first of the events organised around this exhibition then took place and which consisted of a roundtable on “The Memory of Vitoria-Gasteiz”, moderated by Sara Buesa and whose participants included the former mayors José Angel Cuerda, Alfonso Alonso and Patxi Lazcoz.

The programme in Vitoria-Gasteiz also includes another roundtable with Marta Buesa and Eva Barroso at 7.00 p.m. on the 21st.

EXHIBITION VENUE

The Remembrance Square exhibition is structured into different areas:

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

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

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

- 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.

REMEMBRANCE SQUARE BACKGROUND

The Gogora Institute has begun to showcase and expand these pluralistic memories by creating spaces for anyone who wishes to contribute their account. The travelling phase of the Remembrance Square project has already visited Bilbao, Durango and Tolosa, and will reach Álava with Vitoria-Gasteiz as the first stop.