Escaping the clutches of unbridled consumerism

LleidaIt's not easy to escape the clutches of rampant consumerism. Especially with Christmas just around the corner! Doors that, year after year, open far too early. Some of us try not to participate, attempting to be more active in how we consume products, services, and goods. The idea is to go beyond this "armchair activism" and take action by cultivating responsible consumption. Out of conviction!

Now, we do what we can. Every now and then, these resolutions fail spectacularly. And that's when the little voice inside whispers in your ear:

"You've messed up!"

"I know, I know!" you reply, trying your best to shake off the guilt.

Does being a conscious consumer mean contradicting yourself? Possibly. However, despite the obstacles that unfettered capitalism imposes, selecting what and where we consume based on transformative, environmental, political, social, or human criteria is a reflection of our value system. One of the consistent effects of making this choice is a firm commitment to local businesses.

Literature Causes Near Home

Last spring, the El Genet Blau bookstore in Lleida hosted the presentation of "Three Booksellers" by Estefanía Reñé, Raquel Fontecha, and Mertxe París; a collection of stories that share the authors' love for culture, reading, the city, and small businesses.

In one of the stories, Fontecha points out that "the threat is out there." "The one that wants to end our independence, the independence of all readers, ultimately. Because whoever controls information—and, therefore, whoever controls culture—has the power. Because knowledge is power."

The book world, already precarious, is not immune to "the prevailing impersonal and commercial logic." The models of large publishing groups, major bookstore chains, and large platforms tend to promote a dangerous, homogenizing, and singular way of thinking.

However, there are committed and independent bookstores that stand up for themselves, fostering a love of reading, building connections, and nurturing critical thinking.

In Lleida, we are fortunate to have a network of independent and diverse bookstores that nurture the book ecosystem in our country and firmly believe in "the power of literature and knowledge as instruments of social transformation." La Fatal, El Genet Blau, La Irreductible, and La Zapatería are much more than "places to buy books." They are spaces that generate culture. They are companionship. They are resistance. They are light. They are refuge. They are a heartbeat. They are a gift. They are life!