CAMAGÜEY.- The writer Niurki Pérez García has spent her life making books. She makes them how she would like to see them published. She has also invented them as teaching materials to educate her daughter.

 A sample of her heritage of stories remains in the eJo Project as an exhibition titled The Stain. On January 6th, 2024, the interested reader, collector or visitor will be able to purchase each object of art and culture presented there.

 “All books are intended for people to understand that there is nothing more pleasant than sitting in an armchair next to a lamp, that they will never be closer than when a book is read to them,” she said on the rainy afternoon of the opening. .

 Almost in the center of the gallery a lamp illuminates and in the background the vignettes of a clown are displayed. It's Colorete and friends. There she taught the girl the alphabet and began to talk to her about her friendship. “I have spent my life making books. I don't have the necessary material. “I take advantage of what they give me,” she clarifies.

Niurki embarks on a new adventure with the handmade book project called Booyah. That Aruak word means good. It is already part of the circuit of the so-called creative industries promoted by the Office of the Historian of the City of Camagüey.

 The stain alludes to one of her stories and also portrays the author's irreverence: “I am not a very patient person. I have no patience for someone to make decisions for what I do. I spent 17 years waiting for a publisher to publish my first four books. That is why I have always dedicated myself to the books that I would like to see published one day.”

 In the exhibition there are several copies of Cuentos patatos, a classic of her and although it is the same story, each copy is unique. We also found loose sheets with drawings of wild plants in their path during the gray stage of Covid-19. They remained like a diary of the species that made her day.

 “I am the bad weed. They have always treated me like a bad weed, like something that needs to be pulled up and thrown away. I will live through the oral storytellers. If anyone taught me the importance of anonymity, it is children. Be the word, the air, the idea, what is not seen. Then I realized: I want to be anonymous. I'm not interested in diplomas. That is pure vanity,” she emphasizes.

 Precisely, the eJo Project has vindicated the scenic oral narrator through the Catalejo de Cuentos project. She is among the favorite writers for the repertoire. That is why at the opening Gabriel Castillo told the story of elephants of all colors. Another storyteller told the story of Baltasar.

 “Here are my long-suffering books. Baltasar's, for example, is dedicated to children that no one wants. Not everyone wants to be an engineer. Some just want to breathe, but they are considered less intelligent; but all people are necessary,” she insists.

 She dedicates a section to the work of Nicolás Guillén. She shaped the poem Mi chiquitica with a collage of clippings from old publications and black drawings of the character. There's Lullaby to Wake Up a Little Black.

On other sites she promotes texts by other authors. The dolphin that couldn't swim, by Jorge Luis García. Negroche, by Heúsder Hernández. Domingo Peña exhibits He has seen Cuba, and he put Proyecto MiLetra as his publishing label.

 Niurki writes, designs and illustrates. She values craftsmanship in the art of making a book. Each copy is a party. The lettering on the cover of Monkey Story plays with the shapes of the animal's tail and features.

 Near the window they placed volumes die-cut with motifs of the city. “I am still pursuing a dream: to become a great writer. I write for everyone, to communicate ideas, and in the process I understand myself.”

 The stain includes other types of productions: lamps, boxes with cards and stickers. She got ready to draw her story of güije Níspero and that of Brujita. The riddle set identified as Telling Lamp carries traditional stories in verses from the Wedding Rooster, The Three Little Pigs, The Princess and the Frog.

 The universe created by Niurki Pérez with paper, cardboard, colors and paste is fascinating. The rest is in the spring of her imagination, in her generosity to share the stories that are born to her with the rhythm of words. She thus gives the public the story of the Emperor of China and the contest to paint peace.

 “When they tell a story the world is wonderful.” Niurki speaks from an armchair. eJo's gallery preserves the echo when she covered an afternoon with her sweet and deep voice. With her versatility to shape writing, she builds better worlds. It is enough to read it and multiply the stubborn will to cultivate dreams.

Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez