The Gipuzkoa Foral Department of Culture and the Memorial Centre for Victims of Terrorism in Vitoria-Gasteiz have announced the second edition of the 'How to Tell History' workshops, aimed at exploring various artistic approaches to recounting the past. The series will feature three sessions in Donostia, taking place on 14, 20, and 26 October at 19:00 in the Santa Teresa Convent.
Goizane Álvarez, the Gipuzkoa Culture Deputy, and Luisa Etxenike, the workshop coordinator, were present at the press conference, alongside Aizpea Goenaga, a theatre director, and historian Gaizka Fernandez Soldevilla. Álvarez emphasised the significance of creating spaces for reflection on how history is narrated and understood. She stated, “History does not only reach the public through books or research. We also know and interpret it through cinema, theatre, and literature, which can connect us to different eras and their experiences from diverse perspectives.”
She further noted that “telling history also involves a responsibility: to do so with accuracy while embracing the cultural capacity to pose questions, foster dialogue, and connect us to realities that are part of our collective memory. These workshops aim to open that space for reflection, bringing together historians and creators to offer the public various ways to engage with the past.”
First session on 14 October
The first session, titled 'History on Film', will feature Aitor Arregi, a screenwriter and director, alongside Santiago de Pablo, a professor of Contemporary History at the University of the Basque Country, who will moderate the discussion. Arregi has an extensive career in cinema, having directed and co-written the documentary film 'Lucio' and animated features such as 'Cristobal Molón' and 'Glup'.
De Pablo is a noted historian and author of several works on history and cinema, including 'One Hundred Years of Cinema in the Basque Country' and 'Witness for the Prosecution: The History of ETA and its Victims on Television'.
Second session featuring Aizpea Goenaga and Borja Ortiz de Gondra
The second session, scheduled for 20 October, will focus on 'History on Stage' and will feature Aizpea Goenaga and Borja Ortiz de Gondra, both prominent figures in theatre. Goenaga has directed numerous plays and has received various awards for her work, while Ortiz de Gondra is a playwright and novelist known for his trilogy exploring family history.
Final session on literary fiction
The workshops will conclude on 26 October with 'History in Literary Fiction', featuring writer Aroa Moreno Durán, moderated by Luisa Etxenike. Moreno Durán is the author of several acclaimed novels, including 'The Daughter of the Communist' and 'The Low Tide', while Etxenike has published numerous works and is a recognised figure in the literary scene.
This initiative aims to engage the public in meaningful discussions about how history can be conveyed through various artistic mediums, encouraging a deeper understanding of the past.
