María López Machuca and Álvaro Siddharta
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Rose and Olive Tree is a youth-led social movement initiated to safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage of rural Andalusia. Originating in the village of Frailes, our initiative seeks to preserve the oral histories and local traditions of the elderly population by transforming their lived experiences into creative educational materials. Central to our work is a children’s book aimed at readers aged 8 to 14, which compiles and adapts the personal narratives of Frailes’ senior residents. Through storytelling, we aim to bridge generational divides, reinforce cultural identity, and foster a deeper connection between young people and their roots.
The project emerged from our collective awareness of the urgent need to document and valorise the voices of older generations in the face of rapid modernisation, demographic decline, and cultural homogenisation. As young people with familial ties to Frailes, we recognised that many elders held a wealth of knowledge that was in danger of being forgotten. The book we produced is based on interviews with elderly residents, capturing themes such as childhood memories, family traditions, migration, agricultural work, and festive customs. These narratives not only reflect the historical realities of Andalusian village life but also offer universal insights into resilience, community, and change.
What distinguishes this project is its collaborative nature. The editorial process was guided by Gazpacho de Letras, a local publishing house known for its work on identity and heritage. The visual storytelling elements were contributed by one of our youngest team members, a 12-year-old amateur illustrator, whose drawings bring an additional layer of authenticity and accessibility to the stories. This inclusion of youth voices in every stage of production underscores our commitment to genuine intergenerational cooperation.
The response from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive. Many residents generously shared their memories, understanding that this initiative was not only a cultural preservation effort but also a collective act of recognition and preservation. The municipality of Frailes and other local actors have supported the dissemination of the book through public institutions, including schools and libraries. This backing has transformed our project into a shared cultural resource, embedded in the social fabric of the village.
Our broader aim is threefold: to preserve the collective memory of Frailes’ elderly population, to promote intergenerational dialogue through storytelling and art, and to encourage young people to engage actively with their cultural environment. As a youth-driven social enterprise, we believe in the power of cultural heritage as a means of social cohesion and empowerment. The Rose and Olive Tree stands as an example of how young people can take the lead in reimagining traditions, amplifying silenced voices, and nurturing community through creativity and care.
Rose and Olive Tree not only preserved memories from the past but also generated new forms of intergenerational solidarity and civic engagement that will continue to benefit the community in the long term, demonstrating the capacity of young people to lead meaningful cultural interventions in rural settings and setting a precedent for similar initiatives by showing how participatory storytelling and local collaboration can generate tangible outcomes in education, inclusion, and cultural sustainability.
