BellTime Magazine Spring/ Summer 2016 May 2016 | Page 23

Sustainability Corner
“Urabá hecho arte” - exhibitition of local artists
at Fyffes Library in Nueve Colonia, Uraba, Colombia
In 2007 Fyffes in collaboration with
Fundacion Uniban helped fund the
building of a Library in Nueva
Colonia, a small village in Uraba,
Colombia. Nueva Colonia is one of
two points on the Atlantic coast from
which Uniban send the fruit out on
barges to the ships anchored out at
bay.
The library has fast become a pillar
of the local community and has
recently been appointed as part of
the national network of public
libraries, providing service to around
13,500 inhabitants in the area. On
Thursday 1 October 2015, the library
held an art exhibition called

“Urabá hecho artet.” The opening
was attended by 90 local artists and
was coordinated by the House
Culture of the municipality of
Carepa. This event proved to be a
feast of colour for the Uraba region.
The exhibition focused on the two
principles in this area - banana
growing and fishing.
Similarly, the artists included work
evoking envornmental sensitivity to
the fauna and flora, demonstrating
their responsibility to the care of the
environment and the importance of
preserving the cultural history of
Urabá. Ever Styl Alvarez, Library
Social Advisor, said “The library is a

dynamic and community space for
the enjoyment of reading,
watching and listening and opens a
door to the world.”
This event, led by Fundaunibán in
conjunction with the Ministry of
Culture aims to encourage reading
to people of all ages including
pregnant mothers, infants, youths
and seniors.
It is wonderful to see that nearly
ten years after Fyffes helped
construct this library, it is still very
much in use and at the heart of the
community.
Hugo Hays
Head of food Safety, CSR and
sustainability, Fyffes

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