Librería Donceles is Leaving Anchorage but Staying in Visitors’ Hearts

What is a book in its most fundamental form but a collection of pages stitched together, it requires ink and a codified string of letters that form words, words that form sentences and sentences that form ideas. From there, ideas, imagination, dates and figures, come together to convey stories and events that shape history and culture. Books don’t require CPUs, electricity, silicon, or to be turned off during take-off or landing when traveling by plane. They fit nicely on shelves and don’t usually break when dropped. Books hold magic; and in one of the most magical cities in the world, Mexico City, there are enough books that pass through bookstores that they need their own street, calle Donceles. Pablo Helguera is an artist and an educator born in Mexico City took his experience and understanding of the important relationship between books and cultural identity to launch the project “Librería Donceles” that opened in Brooklyn in 2013. The project was in part a response to the scarcity of books in Spanish in major cities in the US, even those in which there is a demand, need, and hunger for them. . The project surpassed his expectations, Helguera said, “Initially we thought that we’d run the bookstore for just two months or so, but it was such a complex operation to bring 20,000 books to New York that it lasted longer. Then we had the problem that we didn’t know what to do with all the books at the end of the exhibition, but thankfully other cities expressed interest in being host to the bookstore, and that started this nomadic travel of the books store to about 11 or so locations that still continues and to here, to Anchorage”. “Librería Donceles” opened in Anchorage in late summer as an Anchorage Museum exhibit that was unexpected, well-received, and loved by the community. “Librería Donceles” will close on January 6, 2019 with what promises to be a fun event and a little bitter sweetness.

According to Francesca DuBrock with the Anchorage Museum, the exhibit was well attended with an estimated 700 people from the beginning and at a steady pace up until the beginning of December, it will likely be a much higher number as the year and exhibit come to a close. Many of the people tended to come for special, reading and language events. The success of the project is difficult to quantify but on a qualitative scale, it was all about the quality of engagement. Engagements tended to be deeper and more meaningful on individual levels than for example, one that buyer may experience at a mainstream and larger bookstore. This is not surprising considering the nature of the project and the political climate that has communities feeling forsaken by due process and democratic values. DuBrock says that “Librería Donceles” is easy to be intimate with and for visitors to have a connection with. While she would like to see it stay, or another similar project emerge from this one, it’s very difficult to keep going because this kind of project that is part bookstore and part community space needs a level of sustainability that is not easy to achieve without a commitment from funders and an understanding that while it is a “business”, it’s purpose is bigger, and profound. Some members of the community expressed interest in keeping it going but the barrier of entry was well beyond their means, space alone and staffing requires investments that are not possible at this time. Perhaps the Municipality of Anchorage should think of Community and Economic Development beyond painted trash cans and actually make investments in creating spaces to build healthy communities?—Just a thought? Lina Mariscal, a business owner, community organizer, and founder of Sol de Medianoche (Alaska’s only Spanish-English bilingual newspaper) said, “I wish that we could keep it alive...we spoke about this. Maybe they [Museum] can put components in storage until we can come up with a plan to make it happen. I know, I know, dream on right? Pero mejor [But it’s better to] dream big so we can aim for big results.” Lorena Medina, a Mexican Archeologist based out of Anchorage, added, “Por mi parte podría comentar que ha sido un proyecto sumamente interesante no solo para la comunidad de habla hispana sino para todos en general, sin importar su idioma; además, este tipo de proyectos abren las puertas para nuevos proyectos y en este sentido también resultó muy importante. El hecho de abrir diferentes espacios bajo temáticas parecidas puede crear, eventualmente, que se de una demanda por parte de la gente con respecto a este tipo de lugares. Es importante así, seguir trabajando en proyectos culturales sin dejar de soñar.” [For my part I could comment that it has been a very interesting project not only for the Spanish speaking community but for all in general, regardless of their language; In addition, projects like these open doors for new projects and in this sense, this is was also very important. The act of opening different spaces of similar concepts can create, eventually, a demand by people for such places. It is so important to continue working on cultural projects and never stop dreaming]

Folks can visit Librería Donceles on Thursday-Sunday, 10am to 6pm

CLOSING PARTY

Join us in saying "adios" to Librería Donceles at our closing party on January 4th from 6:00-8:30. Let's celebrate in this space one last time with mariachi music, readings and refreshments!

Other events at Donceles:

ON VIEW UNTIL JANUARY 6th - "The Great Cuban Musicians and Dancers of Yesterday and Today"

An exhibit of twenty caricatures by Esteban Isnardi featuring some of Cuba's great musicians and dancers. Organized by Anaya Latin Dance.

Saturday, December 29th, and January 5th

SPANISH STORYTIME/CUENTOS EN ESPAÑOL

11am - noon

Join the storytime circle in Librería Donceles to take part in Spanish-language children's stories from around the world. Enjoy readings by community storytellers or bring your own to read aloud. Free.

CONVERSATIONS IN SPANISH/CONVERSACIONES EN ESPAÑOL

12:30 - 2pm

Spanish-speakers and language-learning enthusiasts alike share in conversation in Spanish and English in the Librería Donceles exhibition space. All levels welcome. Free.