Bilbao City Council has launched the eighth edition of the “Argazkineta” initiative, which travels to neighborhoods with a van to collect residents' historical memories. This year, the neighborhoods of Arabella and Zurbaranbarri will be the focus.
The van will be located at Plaza Iturriondo in Zurbaranbarri from October 13 to 22, operating from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Subsequently, it will move to Plaza Arabella in Arabella from October 23 to November 1, maintaining the same schedule.
The van will collect materials from before the year 2000, including photographs (black and white or color, print or digitized), slides, negatives, videos (in Super 8, VHS, BETA formats), plans, sketches, newspaper or magazine clippings, official notices, minutes, posters, brochures, and stickers. The goal is to transfer these documents to a digital format to extend their lifespan and adapt them to current times.
“Argazkineta” seeks collective and shared memories, as well as materials that help understand the neighborhood's customs, celebrations, traditions, or daily life. Residents are also encouraged to share their stories, memories, and testimonies to enrich the collected information and tell the neighborhood's history through their narratives.
The origin of the Arabella neighborhood dates back a century with the creation of its namesake cooperative. Zurbaranbarri, on the other hand, emerged in the 1960s, hosting immigrants who came to Bilbao for work. Both neighborhoods, despite not having ancient histories, are areas worth highlighting as they are less known to Bilbao's citizens, and this initiative aims to recover their collective memory.
Additionally, during the second half of October, complementary activities will be organized. These include a radio encounter within the van itself, where residents can share their experiences. In Zurbaranbarri, it will take place on October 22 at Plaza Iturriondo, and in Arabella on October 30 at Plaza Arabella, both at 6:00 PM.
Furthermore, projections of old photographs will be held to showcase the creation and development of the neighborhoods. In Zurbaranbarri, it will be on October 15 at the Uribarri District Municipal Office (Plaza Iturriondo), with sessions at 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. In Arabella, on October 28 at El Ave María School (Zabalbide street, 116), with two sessions at 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
Finally, all collected material will be presented to the public on December 16 at the Argazkineta Show, an event open to residents where photographs, videos, and memories shared by participants will be projected. Throughout the three weeks, the van will also disseminate the collected material.
Part of the recovered photographic material will be destined for the Bilbao Municipal Archive, and digitized material will also be viewable in the "Argazkineta 2026" video list created on the Bilbao Kultura YouTube channel.
This initiative is part of the municipal program “BILBAO IZAN”, dedicated to disseminating and understanding the history, heritage, and memory of Bilbao and its neighborhoods.
