The Cal Coixa olive grove, located in the natural setting of Albera, within the municipality of Espolla, has been turned into a literary space thanks to the initiative of the Art&Paraula Foundation. This idyllic spot now hosts an open-air mountain library, aiming to promote a love for reading, disseminate quality youth and children's literature, and foster local roots through culture.
The project, which began in 2022, has involved restoring the one-and-a-half-hectare space, previously owned by the parents of the Ros sisters, who have ties to the village. Dry stone walls have been rebuilt, trees replanted, olive harvesting resumed, and three historic springs have been restored. The connection with the residents of Espolla has been immediate, leading to the promotion of various cultural activities.
Three wooden cabinets, crafted by local sculptor Jaume Giró, have been installed at different levels within the olive grove. Each cabinet contains a selection of books spanning youth and children's literature, poetry, and adult fiction. Additionally, several poems, including one by the Foundation's president, Roser Ros, and another by Quima Jaume, are engraved on wood to welcome visitors.
The library operates on a simple principle: users can take a book, read it on-site, return it to its place, or borrow it, making a note in a provided logbook. In this same logbook, readers can share their thoughts and impressions about the books they've read.
The Art&Paraula Foundation, established in February 2021 by Josep Maria Goñi, Roser Ros, Mònica Ros, and Oriol Homs, also supports similar projects in other municipalities to bring reading to areas not served by public libraries. They also collaborate with the Espolla Town Council on events such as the tribute to pedagogue Antoni Balmanya and his wife, Maria Carlas.
These literary landscapes aim to enhance the local cultural ecosystem, creating meeting points and encouraging community participation. The non-profit project currently involves around sixty volunteers and the involvement of some businesses, demonstrating that books serve as a catalyst for people to connect and converse.
