'Bankito', the green bench that had been at the entrance of La Tallerteka in Barakaldo for four years, vanished without a trace last Tuesday, June 9th. Since then, it has become the subject of a search involving children, neighbors, and the center's staff.
The disappearance occurred on Tuesday morning. According to Itsaso Novo, the manager of La Tallerteka, a customer reported seeing the bench shortly before 11:00 AM. However, when she went to the door to collect an order between 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM, the bench was gone. "I was working on the computer near the entrance and didn't see anything," she stated.
Beyond being a simple bench, 'Bankito' had become a cherished item for many families visiting La Tallerteka. "It was a piece of furniture, but we realized people used it and felt affection for it," admits Itsaso. Its absence has not gone unnoticed, and many have inquired about its whereabouts.
With no leads, La Tallerteka decided to approach the situation with humor. They have launched a unique campaign on social media to try and locate 'Bankito'. The posts feature the bench in various AI-generated scenarios, from a poolside vacation to supposed kidnappings. This initiative has sparked curiosity among residents and users, though no clue has yet solved the mystery.
Although La Tallerteka has not offered a reward to recover 'Bankito', one of the children from the center drew a picture of the alleged thief and offered a prize of 100 million euros for anyone who helped find it. "We're not asking for a reward, although a child drew the thief with a reward. I don't know if we can offer that many zeros," the manager joked.
Meanwhile, the mystery remains open, and 'Bankito' is still missing. At La Tallerteka, they are hopeful that one day it will return to its place outside the center, a spot that many children and families still miss.
