Currently, 190 women participate in 12 feminist reading clubs across Álava. These clubs were established in 2016 in the Llanada Alavesa region and have since grown, serving as a space for feminist training through shared enjoyment of literature. The initiative has expanded throughout Álava, reaching the regions of Rioja Alavesa, Montaña Alavesa, Gorbeialde, Aiaraldea, Añana, and Treviño.
Each club consists of 10 to 20 women who gather monthly to exchange perspectives on a pre-read book. Facilitators provide theoretical training on the topics discussed, aiming to foster women's feminist empowerment and create spaces for sharing.
The sessions are held itinerantly in various towns within each region, ensuring accessibility. There are currently seven clubs in Spanish and five in Basque, one of which is a simplified reading club in Laudio. The readings encompass diverse genres such as poetry, novels, essays, plays, and comics, always focusing on feminist themes or the situation of women.
To promote women's feminist empowerment, in addition to creating spaces for sharing.
The end-of-year meeting will take place at the Río Ayuda center in Treviño, and will also be attended by readers from clubs in Gasteiz. The featured guest will be the San Sebastián-based writer Luisa Etxenike, recognized for her work in highlighting female authors.
Etxenike has a strong career in narrative, theater, and poetry. Her notable works include 'El ángulo ciego' (Euskadi Award for Literature), 'Cuerdas,' and 'Cruzar el agua.' Under the pseudonym Antonia Lassa, she has published 'Llevar en la piel' (Silverio Cañada Award) and her latest work, 'Un dedo menos,' as well as the play 'La herencia' (Buero Vallejo Award).
The network of feminist reading clubs is part of the Provincial Council of Álava's strategy for individual and collective empowerment, aiming to advance greater sociopolitical participation for women by fostering their awareness, involvement, and engagement on the path towards equality.
