Saludos,
Riecken Guatemala has just published their first book for the Biblioteca Comunitaria Rija’tzuul Na’ooj in San Juan La Laguna, Sololá . Publication of this book was made possible through the support of the Finnish Embassy of Central America and the MACHI Project of the University of North Carolina. The book is written in Spanish and in Tz’utujil, the native language of the Lake Átitlan community of San Juan La Laguna pictured on the cover.
The book captures an oral story that has been passed down for generations by the grandparents in the community. A small figure of dwarf-like proportions lived on a hill of crystal overlooking the community. For reasons of his own this fellow started mocking the residents who became angry and ran him off of his hill. Things went rapidly downhill in the village and soon the residents went looking for their nemesis and restored him to his rightful place on the hill. After his return well-being and prosperity returned to the community and the little fellow reminded the community about the importance of taking care of Mother Earth so that all might prosper. There is, no doubt, a lesson for all of us in that. The staff of the library are very careful to point out that the grandparents of the community gave permission for their story to be written and published.
The library/biblioteca held a celebration when the first shipment of the published books arrived. All of the village grandparents were invited to the library to see their story in print. Library director, Israel Quic, talked about the writing and publishing of the book and all that it means in terms of the entire world having access to the story of the grandparents. Many of the grandparents are likely not able to read the book but thanks to the work of Israel and his staff in the library the children will be able to read the story to their grandparents.
During the festivities the grandparents were all offered a celebratory drink of “maatz’ which as a cornflour water base. According to Israel the special cups that are used to serve the drink give it a unique flavor.
For more photos of this event please go to Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rieckenguatemala/sets/72157624661692030/
Donations of any amount will contribute to more of these wonderfully, rich oral stories being captured in print for future generations. Please use the the donate links on the right side of this blog or mail a check so that the Riecken Foundation can continue to promote literacy and discovery in Central America. Muchas gracias!