The Aramaioko Feminist Reading Club has concluded its year after reading nine books, holding its final session last Monday. The event, open to all residents, welcomed writer Miren Amuriza as the main guest to discuss her work Pleibak.
Ainhoa Aldazabal, who facilitates the sessions, described the end of the course as "incomparable". "The open session went very well, with about twenty people attending; in addition to our regular members, others joined, which is very gratifying," she stated. She added that listening to Amuriza was "a luxury," and that the author shared insights into the writing process, the book itself, anecdotes, and read aloud some passages.
Aldazabal has been facilitating the Feminist Reading Club since around 2018. Approximately ten people have participated in most of the sessions held at the cultural center, and she explained that the group has been "growing and renewing" over the years. While some original members remain, new participants have joined, making this a "rich, diverse, and very pleasant" academic year.
This year, the club has explored works of various genres and formats, always focusing on female authors: comics, poetry, translations, and original works in Basque. According to Aldazabal, the books Detaile xume bat and Etxe bat norberarena were particularly significant. The former led to a special session on Palestinian women's literature, as its author, Adania Shibli, is Palestinian. The latter, described as a "deep and substantial" work combining poetry and essay, received a warm reception from the group.
Aldazabal also emphasized the value of sharing readings within the group. She believes that individual readings gain a new dimension when discussed with others, as "hearing different interpretations enriches the reading and, furthermore, provides an opportunity to learn to listen, debate, and argue." The club is based on a feminist perspective, aiming not only to promote women's literature but also to offer tools for understanding the world from different viewpoints, refining one's perspective and way of comprehending life and society.
The Aramaioko Feminist Reading Club is organized within the program of the Provincial Council of Araba, and the local library is responsible for making the reading materials available to participants.
