Art, Culture, and Memory
We believe art is a collective, supportive, and generative language. Our collective memory has survived despite historical and recent traumas.
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​All of 32 Volcanes programs are united by Mayan culture, which defines and sustains our collective vision. Founder and social anthropologist Roney Alvarado Gamarro directs the cultural relevance and belonging offerings, which bring a social and historical perspective to all of our work. From food to books and from restoring our health to restoring our land, we are convinced that each community action seeks the memory, dignity, and future of the Guatemalan people.
Generation of educational material, workshops, illustration and community language.
This pivot is the basis of our work, because without cultural relevance, the strengthening of identity and the creation of art as expression and community communication, none of our programs would be possible.
Therefore, in collaboration with local artists and groups, we created a network that transforms knowledge into art, into scrolls, into seeds of thought. For this we elaborate different materials that start from ancestral knowledge, innovation and social research, from community thought. We bring this to childhood and non-traditional education of the beneficiaries, who are all of us.
Santiaguito Bookstore, and Catafixia Editorial
Part of the communication through art is in charge of Catafixia Editorial, whose editors are founders of 32 Volcanes. Within our facilities they opened the Santiaguito bookstore. They are part of the collaborative fusion for the creation of matter that puts memory, art and language at the center over time.
Our Space
32 Volcanes offers our facilities for cultural and artistic events such as poetry festivals, readings, book presentations, and art exhibitions. Our meeting space with audiovisual equipment is also available for rent. We offer local, nutritious food to accompany events and meetings. Click here for more information and to book your event.
The 32 Volcanes building is also home to Santiaguito Libros. Specializing in literature, history, philosophy, social sciences, and poetry, Santiaguito offers an uncommon collection in the heart of Xela. They offer works by authors who challenge and invite readers to discover new perspectives.
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But Santiaguito Libros doesn’t just sell books, they share conversations, ideas, and the love of knowledge. With a cultural events calendar including book presentations and conversations, Santiaguito Libros opens a space for the creation and development of historical memory and collective consciousness.
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Without a doubt, books are our allies in the struggle for the regeneration of life.
Mario Payeras Library
Originating with the generous donation of Mario Payeras’ personal library by Yolanda Colom, the Biblioteca Mario Payeras is dedicated to preserving and promoting the work of various renowned writers. 32 Volcanes strives to promote literacy and education by providing free access to a wide collection of books.