La Escalera Collective Publishes "De álbumes y gavetas II" to Safeguard La Orotava's Past

The La Escalera Cultural Collective has released the second volume of "De álbumes y gavetas" (From Albums and Drawers). This book is a major step in bringing back La Orotava's shared memories, especially now that rapid changes are challenging the town's unique identity. The project, which started in 1996 with the Canary Islands' first old photography contests, aims to highlight the lives of ordinary citizens and make cultural history accessible to everyone.

José Manuel Hernández, a long-standing member of the collective and central to creating this second book, stresses its importance. He points to a feeling he calls 'solastalgia' – a sadness people feel when familiar places lose their identity. This volume features 153 photographs taken between 1902 and 1978. The focus isn't on how pretty the pictures are, but on the stories they tell. Many are candid shots that offer huge insights into how the landscape, customs, and people's interactions in the town have changed. Each photo includes a caption, its location, and a credit to the person who contributed it, respecting both ownership and the emotional value of each image, much like Spain's Intellectual Property Law.

Collecting photos for this edition was a much bigger task than for the first book. They gathered nearly 6,000 photographs from six contests, thanks to a great response from the community. Creating this second volume wasn't easy; it overcame hurdles like the pandemic and funding issues. Support came from the City Council, the collective's own funds, and a crowdfunding campaign. The book is now available in local bookstores and directly from the La Escalera Collective.

The pictures show everyday life: families and friends in various places like shops, wineries, public spaces, schools, rural areas, and local festivals. The book also includes personal stories from residents and ten articles by local experts. Together, these create a rich narrative that celebrates people who were crucial to the community – like craftspeople or farmers – but often aren't featured in official history. Hernández stresses the importance of community spirit and resilience as a contrast to today's individualism. He urges everyone to protect local heritage, from homes built with hard work to traditions that define who they are.

In December 2025, the La Orotava City Council will award the La Escalera Cultural Collective a Silver Medal for its three decades of work in sharing and preserving heritage. "De álbumes y gavetas II" clearly shows their ongoing dedication. This book encourages us to look back at the past to better understand the present and helps ensure that younger generations stay connected to their own history, thereby strengthening the community's identity.