A literary miracle in the Sant Pere neighborhood

"A miracle." Miguel Ángel Ortega is certain of it: the existence of his bookstore, Tesoros de Alejandría (Treasures of Alexandria), is a miracle. It opened two years ago on Calle de la Virgen del Pilar, a stone's throw from the Palau de la Música, but the bookselling trade has been in his blood since he was very young. In fact, this is the sixth bookstore he has run, between Barcelona and his native Valladolid. Upon entering, you are immediately struck by an unmistakable aroma, that smell that only secondhand bookstores produce. It is the smell of lived-in pages, of memories safeguarded by the greatest treasure of our (supposed) civilization: books. But Tesoros de Alejandría is not a container, it is not a bookstore. low cost where nothing is available and it's every man for himself. It's a space conceived from a love of knowledge, the experience of reading, the thematic variety that the publishing world can offer, hobbies, and quality reading. We find popular literature, great authors, fiction, art, philosophy, essays, poetry, thought... and also an interesting space for graphic arts enthusiasts, antique prints, and posters. But why is your bookstore a miracle? "A secondhand bookstore open to the public? Betting on that is an act of rebellion, of activism, of personal consistency."

Miguel Ángel is clear about it; the word he repeats most is coherenceHe has always believed in the bookstore as a space for knowledge, for the exchange of ideas, for experiences that go beyond simply buying and selling. He has a special connection to the Sant Pere, Santa Caterina, and La Ribera neighborhood: "For me, consistency means that, investing in the neighborhood, in proximity, in the community." "Complaining does me little good if I don't take action!" His commitment is clear: a business with soul, a risky proposition in times of franchises, mass-produced stores, rampant gentrification, and the decline of local businesses. "Believing in the neighborhood means that just as you buy your fruit and vegetables at a local shop, you should buy your books at a local bookstore," argues Miguel Ángel. He served as president of the neighborhood merchants' association for three years and, along with other colleagues, has clearly advocated for this approach to their profession. "Even when you do things right, it's difficult to make it viable."

In fact, the physical bookstore can survive thanks to Tesoros de Alejandría also selling online through collectibles platforms like Todocolección and Uniliber, an interesting booksellers' portal founded and managed by themselves: "An initiative that values the profession and promotes the sustainability of booksellers." No strings attached to paying off large corporations that bleed everyone dry. Amazon, for example.

The space at Tesoros de Alejandría is spacious, airy, and welcoming, inviting you to browse, ask questions, and become a regular at the bookstore. There are customers who come once a week to check out the new arrivals, locals discovering it for the first time, and tourists, of course, who buy a print or a small souvenir poster of the city. Its proximity to the Palau de la Música also influences the clientele who pass through the street entrance. In the medium term, Miguel Ángel would like to open up the back of the bookstore, currently a large storage area, to offer added value through presentations, workshops, interactive sessions, readings, discussions, and more. "Sharing knowledge in bookstores is part of our social responsibility and also a way to diversify and adapt to the times, because simply selling books is certainly no longer enough," he says. "The model has changed. It's not enough to have books on the shelves. You have to be a good curator, carefully select your offerings, and offer your expertise to serve the community," he adds. And he concludes: "To be a good bookseller, it's important to be relaxed, and relaxation, however much we might dislike it, gives us economic stability."

Miguel Ángel's profession stems from the extensive experience he gained in Valladolid. First at the Rastro flea market, then in successive bookstores, and finally under the spell of Barcelona, where he often came to shop and experience the city. The allure of Sant Jordi, the Sant Antoni market, and the Encants flea market. An attraction that ultimately led him to decide to settle down and commit to a particular way of living and understanding the city and its commerce: "We occupy a quality space, with discernment and purpose." And here's to many years!