Adolescence is a complicated phase, but Álvaro found it much more bearable thanks to “The perks of being an outcast‘, a book that helped him understand “how relationships have changed and what that process of growing up has been like.” He understands it differently now but, to him, that book “was part of a necessary evolution that brought me here.” And, understood literally, that “here” is the position”books that matter”, located in the Plaza del Pilar. The man from Zaragoza brought here the work that marked him so much and that he now hopes will make its next owner reflect. In return, his invisible friend gave him another book, ‘A Yankee in King Arthur’s court‘, by Mark Twain.
Álvaro is one of the first inveterate readers who came to the traditional stall of the Pilar Christmas market, which has begun its sixth edition. The “Books that matter” initiative, which was born in 2016 from the Zaragoza organization Atrapavientosfunctions as a huge book exchange, a “great invisible literary friend”. This year is doubly special, because the Association also celebrates the National Prize for the Promotion of Reading 2022which he received from the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and does so in his hometown.
The stand was so filled with onlookers and readers who didn’t want to waste time and lined up as soon as it opened to leave some of their most precious treasures there. This was the case for a young woman from the Colectivo Z Youth Association for the Promotion of Writing, who handed in ‘The Painter of the Malvas Hat’, by Marcos Calveiro, a reinvention of the Van Gogh story. He took home ‘En busca de las voces perdidas’, a work which, according to the dedication of the invisible friend, is perfect “for those who want to express feelings and cannot find the right text”.
Another participant, eager to find out what work she would get as a gift, said hers was “a fiction book that a friend gave me with comments and I bring it because I want it to follow the chain.” The young woman, who had already participated in previous editions, admitted that in this position “jewels are always found. Perhaps the book is not the one you like best, but with the dedication it always becomes something very special”.
And in an initiative that Zaragoza carries as its flag not even the Aragonese could be missingThat’s why invisible friends like Juan Royo, who delivered ‘Goya on the Verge of Sanity’, a book he co-created and is now donating to “claim Goya’s place as universal Aragonese, weren’t made to pray ”. Under his arm he took ‘On the road’, by Jack Kerouac: “The person who gave it to me explains in the dedication that he read it more than 50 years ago and that it was very important to him”, he expressed with enthusiasm. His partner also championed the essence of the Community with ‘Vacaciones aragonesas’, a book that he hopes will, like him, lead its next owner “to the childhood of the Pyrenees, to that flavor of the Pyrenees of the 70s”.
The work ‘The Book Thief’ fell into the hands of the deputy mayor and minister of culture and foreign projection, Sara Fernández, who wanted to congratulate Atrapavientos for this award for the promotion of reading, “which recognizes the good results of this initiative, which has successful participation year after year”. The Minister of Education, Culture and Sports of the Government of Aragon, Felipe Faci, added that “the given books give rise to complicity, as if you read them with person who gave them to you” and for this both predicted “much success” to this new edition.
An edition that, according to the director of Atrapavientos, Jorge Gonzalvo, made them “very happy” not only for having celebrated this award from the Ministry but also for “continuing to see the citizens of Zaragoza participate in something related to culture and books ” . . Books that on this occasion come from places many kilometers away, such as Madrid or Mexico. “This allows us to connect people across even greater distances,” Gonzalvo acknowledged.
How to participate
Those wishing to participate can only choose a book whose reading has had a special meaning, write a dedication on its first pages that includes what reasons make it important and pack it as a gift. Once they leave it in the position located in front of the Pilar, they will receive the gift of their invisible friend in return. Naturally, before going to the stand it is necessary to register in advance in a online formwhich replaces the traditional paper register of the first editions.
Furthermore, this initiative once again celebrates the Matilde and Bastiane Award to the best dedication. Precisely online registration will allow all participants to opt for the statuette, designed by the Malaga artist Pepa Muñoz, and a gift voucher to be exchanged at the winner’s favorite bookstore.
