1. INTRODUCTION TO THE ‘DRAWING THE TERRITORY’ SECTION
The Territory of Alava is structured around eight historical routes that have laid the foundations for its character, strengths and distinctive features. Eight routes, built from an array of influences and trends, which, in addition to structuring society, have served as a conduit for the exchange of different influences that have contributed to shaping a richly nuanced essence.These routes have evolved over time, have made their own way, and contain a source of inspiration that has made it possible to respond to the turbulent changes that have taken place over the centuries.This section covers the eight routes defined by historian Isabel Mellen, focusing on the main milestones that have marked their development. Together, they form the fabric that gives meaning to this territory..
2. THE PIECES
BIBAT-Archaeology MuseumPieces representative of daily life in Roman times, including a dolium of great archaeological importance, which will be on public display for the first time.Armoury MuseumVarious pieces relating to the years of the War of Independence and the main events that took place in Vitoria and the surrounding area.Museum of Sacred ArtThree of its valuable reliquary busts of virgins, valuable pieces that are highly representative of 16th-century Flemish art, which arrived in Alava via the wool route.Sancho El Sabio FoundationFacsimile of the Lazarraga manuscript, which led to a revision of the status of Basque as a literary language to an earlier date.Valle Salado FoundationTools, products, and a model that allows visitors to understand an ancient practice dating back to the Neolithic period, which takes on new importance in the face of future challenges.Private collectionModel of the railcar that served on the Estella-Lizarra/Vitoria-Gasteiz line.Vitoria-Gasteiz City CouncilRecognition of the city's designation as Green Capital, a symbol of the renewed commitment of the city and the region to a strategy that promotes nature conservation and sustainable development.
3. THE ROUTES
DescriptionThe first section takes us on a journey through the history of Alava, via eight themed routes covering the entire region. A series of pieces from institutions and private individuals are combined with a mapping, an audiovisual installation that uses light projections which interact with physical elements to show the main defining characteristics of Alava's identity, blending museum and audiovisual languages.THE ROUTESRoute 1 The paths of interculturality Iter XXXIV: Roman road Cuadrilla del Condado de TreviñoRoute 2 The Paths of War... and Peace Route of Castles and walled Towns Cuadrilla de AñanaRoute 3 The Route of Care The Way of St. James Cuadrilla de La Rioja alavesaRoute 4 The Paths of Art and Commerce The Wool Route Cuadrilla de AyalaRoute 5 The Paths of Languages El Camino Real de Postas (Royal Post Road) Cuadrilla de Llanada alavesaRoute 6 Local quality products Wine & Fish Route Cuadrilla de GorgeialdeaRoute 7 The Paths of Industry The Basque-Navarrese Greenway Cuadrilla de MendialdeaRoute 8 Sustainability as the way forward The Green Belt of Vitoria-Gasteiz Cuadrilla de Vitoria
4. INTRODUCTION TO THE "VOICES OF THE TERRITORY” SECTION
A selection of names that seeks to offer a glimpse of a mosaic of voices and sensibilities over time, the richness of the human fabric that lies behind the aspirations and achievements of the different generations that have inhabited Alava, and who have left their mark on it. A rich choir that defines a collective task in permanent renewal.All these voices engage in dialogues with each other, through recreations brought to life by photographer Jorge Salgado, an expert in the application of AI, in three groups that invite visitors to discover them, evoking the traditional idea of a forum.
5. THE CHARACTERS
Manuel IradierManuel Iradier wanted to fill in the blank areas on maps. It was a conversation with the legendary explorer Henry Morton Stanley, whom he met in Vitoria-Gasteiz while he was covering the Carlista War for the New York Herald, that ultimately prompted him, along with his wife Isabel de Urquiola and his sister-in-law, to embark on a journey to what is now Equatorial Guinea. He left the city of Alava in 1874, and during the trip, his daughter died of malaria. They faced all kinds of difficulties, but the support of Vitoria's society for the geographical goals of La Exploradora never wavered.Simon de AndaNot only did he recover the Philippines, but he also innovated in the layout of routes and the exchange of goods between the metropolis, Asia, and America. He sent a large collection of mollusks and shells to the Royal Cabinet of Natural History, varieties of plants unknown to Europe, and exquisite luxury textiles, such as Manila shawls and the beautiful liturgical vestments he donated to his hometown, Subijana. But nothing compared to the elephant that traveled to the Spanish court, crossed the peninsula, and was admired by crowds in Aranjuez. No wonder that the coat of arms of his family home features a pachyderm.Mariano Diez TobarMariano Diez Tobar believed in universal education, and during his career as a teacher he promoted scholarships so that no one would be deprived of it. His belief that knowledge belongs to everyone kept him from patenting his inventions, and he even described them in detail in talks and conversations. The same was true of his “cinematograph,” presented in Murgia, which, according to eMitxel Olabuenaga, came to the attention of an engineer working with the Lumière brothers. His employee had a conversation with Diez Tobar about the invention in Bilbao. We can only speculate as to how much this “inspired” the French.Maria de SarmientoMaría de Sarmiento exerted enormous influence in her efforts to improve the living conditions of her contemporaries, which she considered an unavoidable charitable obligation. She founded the Nuestra Señora del Cabello hospital in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the sanctuary hospital in Estibaliz, and the Santa Ana hospital in Salinillas de Buradon. But it was the hospital in Vitoria, opened in 1428, that was the most ambitious, with facilities that included doctors and religious figures to care not only for pilgrims but also for the local population. It remained at the forefront of its time until it was destroyed by fire in 1507 and later replaced by the Hospital de Santiago. Ernestina de ChampourcinShe was the most prominent poet of the Generation of '27, but was not included in Gerardo Diego's anthology until the second edition. In the first edition, he had left out the women who, even at that time, were participating in the renewal that would change Spanish culture. A true free verse poet who resisted being pigeonholed, she refused to write in “feminine” pages or publications, but rather on an equal footing in mainstream publications. This avoidance of labels, as well as her long exile, marked the independence she always displayed.Pedro LopezHe was the eleventh lord of Ayala and Salvatierra, mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz, and rose to become chief chancellor, a kind of prime minister, to several kings of Castile. He negotiated complicated international alliances in France, navigating the delicate balance between the various powers of the time. He was also a warrior, and was even imprisoned. He traveled everywhere with a load of books since, like Don Quixote, he eagerly read all the chivalric novels he could get his hands on. He also became a writer and published several works, including Rimado de Palacio, a scathing review of the society of his time.Juan Perez de LazarragaDespite signing a genealogy of his surname, little is known about the Lord of Torre de Larrea. That is, until the discovery of the manuscript he compiled, which shook the previously accepted history of the Euskera (Basque language) and brought him to the forefront. However, we now know that not all of the texts included are his; among them are verses by the poet Estibaliz de Sasiola. Although much research remains to be done, historians are inclined to believe that this is an anthology of texts that would prove that, in the 16th century, Euskera was a fully operational language as a vehicle for literary creation.Micaela PortillaIn an academic world ruled by men, Micaela Portilla became a leading figure in the study of Alava's art and history. She revitalized ancient roads, studied every tower, every house, and every monument, and in doing so, she brought to light a rich heritage that had too often been neglected and even sold off. And she did all this without giving up her work as a teacher and educator. She wrote in the press under the pseudonym Leocadia Zabalate and went wherever she was wanted. She even wrote a travel guide that is now considered a reference work, something that many scholars would have considered beneath their station.Ella FitzgeraldIt may come as a surprise to learn that she was not actually the first choice for the 1981 Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival lineup. In fact, she was a replacement for Aretha Franklin, who cancelled her appearance at the last minute. But her memorable performance at the Mendizorroza sports center, which she repeated the following year, is still etched in the memory of everyone who attended. The audience also enjoyed the privilege of hearing her perform Mack the Knife, a song that she no longer performed at that time and which she incorporated at the express request of the soul and driving force behind the festival, the unforgettable Iñaki Añua, during a lunch.Jesus GuridiThey say that no person is a prophet in their own land, but this was not the case for Jesus Guridi, as demonstrated by the grand tribute paid to him by Vitoria-Gasteiz on June 13, 1920. People crowded the streets, and he not only had to go out to greet them at City Hall and conduct the municipal band and the Vitoriana Choir at the bandstand in the square. He also enjoyed a lunch for more than three hundred people in an industrial warehouse on Olaguibel Street, as well as a pelota festival, another lunch at City Hall, and finally, he returned to Bilbao, still accompanied by the crowd.Maria de MaeztuMaria de Maeztu believed in education as a tool for improving people's lives. An education that shunned harsh punishments and sought to include the entire population, regardless of their origin, gender, or socioeconomic status. And especially women, who were discriminated against in higher education. With the support of Ortega y Gasset and Unamuno, one of her most enduring works was the Residencia de Señoritas de Madrid, where many of the forgotten women of the Generation of '27 came to study, discuss, and meet leading women of the intellectual world of the time, such as Victoria Ocampo and Marie Curie. NaiperaThe case of the women who worked in Heraclio Fournier's factory—starting with his wife, Nieves Partearroyo—was so unique that when the Royal Spanish Academy included the word “naipera” in its dictionary in 1925, it deemed it necessary to clarify its origin: “Al. [in Alava] Woman who works in the manufacture of playing cards.” Despite their limitations—they were paid less than men until well into the 20th century—they were respected at a time when women working outside the home was frowned upon. This was an emblematic case, on a par with the famous “cable girls” of Telefonica.
6. INTRODUCTION TO THE “PATH TO THE FUTURE” SECTION
The third section of the exhibition looks at how the Territory of Alava is facing the challenges that will shape the coming decades. These challenges are global in nature, but they also have their own characteristics that are largely linked to the history and character of the province.To represent this collective challenge, we focus on five areas which, far from being isolated spaces, have cross-cutting content that unifies them and reveals the complexity of the task. At the same time, they serve to highlight how their foundations rest on the tradition and community effort that has unfolded over time. Because only through action that involves the talent of all the institutions and people who inhabit the Territory will it be possible for the achievements to reach everyone.
7. THE FUTURE OF POTATO GROWING
Potatoes have not only been one of the most traditional embodies the transformations and future potential of the Territory. Over time, accumulated knowledge has laid the foundations for cutting-edge research at the NEIKER institute, which is advancing sustainable agriculture capable of tackling climate change and ultimately helping to guarantee access to healthy food for the entire population.In this space, we not only recognize the value of potatoes as the superfood they are through the varieties grown in the region, but we also showcase the work being done by internationally renowned researchers who are setting the course for the future from the lands of Alava.
8. EDUCATING FOR INTEGRATION
1. 21st-century Alava is a multicultural society, with great wealth and diversity. Consequently, all initiatives that seek integration and the participation of everyone in a collective effort are essential. In this effort, education, both in basic skills and language tools, becomes fundamental to achieving cohesion and building a more inclusive society. Numerous initiatives throughout the region take an integrative approach to education, many of them with the support and collaboration of the Vital Foundation.2. The sustainability of the welfare society is closely linked to having well-trained professionals who are continuously updating their skills, and to creating environments that offer the right conditions for entrepreneurship. Similarly, they must serve to retain talent and also to attract it, making the region a favorable place for entrepreneurship. High-quality higher education thus becomes a crucial and differentiating factor, with a particularly prominent role for the public UPV/EHU, but also with a commitment to solid vocational training, an up-to-date portfolio of degrees, and openness to the whole of society.3. The people who make up society represent its essential value. Education must serve to shape empathetic individuals who know how to live together and integrate into the community in order to create a solid network of relationships. To this end, it is essential to preserve the heritage of the world our elders knew, as it holds the keys that will give us the tools to face the coming decades. Alongside this, and beyond the academic sphere, it is essential to encourage initiatives that promote the acquisition of social skills in the classroom, such as preventing bullying and other phenomena that damage coexistence, as former basketball player Iñaki Zubizarreta and the Kokuk association do. 4. Arabartxibo is a project by Fundación Vital, developed in collaboration with local groups and municipalities in Alava, with technical assistance from Labrit Patrimonio. It is a collection of oral testimonies, in audiovisual format, from members of the generation that has lived through the most changes throughout the 20th century and which, together, form a mosaic that captures the evolution of the last hundred years in Alava. A true legacy available to all, from a world that in some cases is fading away, but in which valuable keys to the future can be found.
9. PATHS TO A GREEN TERRITORY
The province of Alava is not only a benchmark in green strategies, but the various initiatives currently underway throughout the province confirm that it will continue to be so. Here we offer an overview of the different paths that will define the key points on which the future depends:The challenge of climate changeClimate change projections for the Territory over the coming decades, and the need for all efforts to be directed towards this goal.The right to natural spacesThe Alava Green Routes Network, natural parks, and the Montes Altos de Vitoria, as well as reminding us of the need to preserve natural spaces as our shared heritage.The treasure of waterThe management and conservation of reservoirs, rivers, etc., with special attention to Sobron and its Water Museum.New perspectives on renewablesWith examples from the Ekiola energy cooperatives and the Sabando community biomass heating network.Dwelling in rural areasThe creation and preservation of rural communities, recovery and preservation of traditional forms of land management and use, etc. Examples include the General Forestry Authority of Guipuzcoa and Alava and the Añana Salt Valley Foundation.Zero-kilometer approachThe need to advocate for the zero kilometer approach and the consumption of local and seasonal products, in support of local communities. References to the ArabaK0 initiative, or initiatives related to the wine sector.
10. CREATIVITY THAT NEVER STOPS
The cultural pulse of Alava has many incarnations, but they all have in common the promotion of creativity and the conviction that culture and artistic expression are fundamental to society. The diversity of forms in which this manifests itself reveals the wealth available to citizens.Creation centersGaraion, Azala, Faktoria, and Baratza Aretoa have become hubs that promote the creation of artists from all disciplines, places that radiate artistic innovation and research, both in urban and rural areas.Focal points of attractionCulture has become a key attraction for visitors to Alava, and especially to Vitoria-Gasteiz. An innovative strategy turned the restoration of Santa Maria Cathedral into a real phenomenon that boosted visits to the building and the city.Furthermore, festivals as diverse as the Azkena Rock Festival, the Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival, and the television festival have made the city a model in these creative fields. Artium, the Basque Country's contemporary art museum, is also a permanent point of interest. And the Vital Foundation, through its programming and support for numerous cultural initiatives, is the backbone of much of the activity.New PathsThe diversity of creation has led to other more specific initiatives that are breaking new ground in disciplines that expand their proposals to more specialized domains. In this regard, Danzalava and its commitment to new trends in art in motion; Bernaola Zikloa, which is already a benchmark for contemporary music; the Basque African Film Festival Afrikaldia; and the Umbra Light Festival are just a few examples of initiatives that seek to raise awareness of all kinds of realities.
11. TO INFINITY (AND BEYOND)
Alava is one of the regions where industry took root the earliest and most intensely. And that momentum has certainly not been dampened: it continues to this day, to the point that it is the most industrialized province in Spain, with almost a third of the population working in the sector.This positions it in an unbeatable spot to face the profound transformations of the coming decades, betting on new fields opened up by technological innovation, which will literally decide the future in the coming decades.The coordinated work of institutions and private agents in Alava fosters an ecosystem that encourages and promotes innovation, as demonstrated by the creation of the Alava Technology Park in Miñano, which is currently attracting leading companies such as Basquevolt, committed to a new type of more efficient batteries that will overcome the limitations that current technology imposes on electrification, and others in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sector, such as I+Med.In this section, we will focus on two areas in which Alava is currently a benchmark: aerospace and medicine.From Miñano to MarsAdded Value Solutions (AVS) is a company founded in 2006 in Elgoibar (Guipuzcoa) by Miguel Angel Carrera, an engineer from Vitoria. Specializing in the manufacture of precision machinery for three lines of work—space, fusion technology, and accelerators for medical use in cancer treatment—the first line focuses on its facilities at the Alava Technology Park in Miñano. From there, they have achieved significant milestones, including the launch of the first satellite entirely built and managed in the Basque Country, LUR-1, which was launched on August 16, 2024. This has been followed by others, such as the development of specific parts for important missions by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), as well as an innovative strategy for the recovery of space debris. From the heart of Alava, their expectations are literally limitless.Leaders in regenerative medicineAlava is also a reference in the field of regenerative medicine, and this is thanks to two people who decided to build their careers in the region: Dr. Mikel Sanchez and Dr. Eduardo Anitua. Dr. Sanchez, an international authority on arthroscopic surgery has recently opened the MiKS hospital in Ibaiondo, where he will continue and expand the work he has been doing at the Vithas Vitoria Hospital. Dr. Anitua who tops Stanford University's ranking as the most influential Spanish dentist in the world for his leadership in the field of oral implantology, is the scientific director of the BTI Biotechnology Institute, also based in Vitoria-Gasteiz. At the same time, his work with, among other areas, the innovative technique that uses platelet-rich plasma and growth factors, makes Alava a destination for patients from all over the world, including many elite athletes.
