Basque ethnography at a glance

La Terminal space of the ZAWP project. Source: ZAWP-Haceria Arteak.

Industrial heritage encompasses the collection of movable, immovable, and intangible assets inherited from the industrial era. In the opinion of some experts, it can also be classified within archaeological heritage, as it shares characteristics with that category: it is a reflection of a bygone era, possesses historical interest, and is not “alive.” Although it covers a wide variety of assets, this text will focus on immovable elements, specifically the reuse of workshops and factories in the province of Bizkaia.

The Industrial Revolution, in addition to marking an era in history, brought profound changes in multiple areas: the redefinition of urban and rural landscapes, the emergence of the working class, the increase in migratory flows, and more. Consequently, these assets are witnesses to the social, economic, and cultural transformation that industrialisation brought about in our society.

As history progressed and we approached the 21st century, due to deindustrialisation, many buildings were left abandoned, at risk of ruin and loss. Fortunately, the symbolic and cultural nature of this type of heritage sparked interest in its conservation and appreciation. A true turning point for its protection was the 2002 National Industrial Heritage Plan. This plan was presented with the objective of cataloguing, conserving, protecting, and promoting knowledge of these assets, thanks to the initiative and collaboration of various autonomous communities. Furthermore, to address this situation, entities such as B.A.I.H.P.W. (Basque Association for Industrial Heritage and Public Works) were created to raise awareness of and defend such heritage.

Although it is a major challenge, opportunities have been found to give these buildings a new lease of life, and they have followed two main paths for their revitalisation. On one hand, converting the workshop itself into a museum to show what the activity of that time was like; and on the other, adapting them into multi-use spaces focused on culture and creativity.

A clear example of the first case is the El Pobal Ironworks in Muskiz. It is a hydraulic factory from the beginning of the 16th century, whose main activity was ironworking and the manufacture of tools and utensils. It closed in the 1960s, but since opening its doors in 2004, it has been a living museum. It showcases two important industrial activities of that time: ironworking and milling.

The El Pobal ironworks giving a demonstration of blacksmithing. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photographic Archive.

La Encartada Factory in Balmaseda also presents its past in the form of an exhibition. The factory was founded in 1892 and remained open for 100 years; wool was processed there and various items were made, including, txapelas (Basque beret). It preserves the original machinery and showcases the ancient techniques and installations of the Basque iron and steel industry.

Regarding the second type of use, multi-purpose cultural spaces, we have several examples in Bizkaia. In Gernika, for example, there is Astra, a former weapons factory and now a benchmark centre for creation and social culture in the town. Many gernikarras gather there as a community to enjoy concerts, workshops, and other activities.

Another example is Azkuna Zentroa-Alhóndiga Bilbao, located in the city centre. This beautiful building is the city’s former wine storage facility, where wine, oil, and pickles were stored from 1905 to 1970. It reopened in 2010 as a space for culture and leisure; it offers a sports centre, exhibitions, cinema, and many other services. Nowadays, it is one of the most important leisure centres in Bilbao.

In Zorrozaurre, for example, we have the ZAWP (Zorrotzaurre Art Work in Progress) proposal, a creative factory and cultural movement. This initiative has been running since 2008, led by the Haceria Arteak Association, and its objective is to participate in the process of reinterpreting the industrial landscape of the Ribera through cultural projects. There has been significant industrial activity on that small island of Bilbao, especially linked to port work; therefore, taking advantage of these industrial units, it offers art exhibitions, music concerts, theatre plays, and coworking spaces for the development of different ideas and projects.

Industrial heritage has great cultural and ethnographic value and has generated landscapes that define both the territory and society. Although preserving these assets remains a challenge, there are sustainable and real ways to conserve them; these initiatives are also an unbeatable opportunity to boost cultural participation.

Nerea Etxebarria – Labayru Fundazioa