Discussing Culture, Food, and Revolution with Natalia Molina: An Interview Exploration
Rebooting the Cultural Revolution: La Minka's Journey
La Minka collective, nestled in a vibrant community space next to the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, is a beacon of color and culture. Outside, a striking mural, once a printing press, adorns the building with images that echo Venezuela's rich history. Inside, a tapestry of rooms - dedicated to learning, theater, music, a radio station, and even a community kitchen - pulsate with life and creativity.
"Minka" is an exuberant Kichwa word, meaning community work. True to this spirit, La Minka has reached out to its community with cultural projects and championing grassroots democracy. Overseeing the collective's decisions are assembly votes, ensuring a democratic voice for all.
These days, La Minka is working tirelessly to foster a socialist commune in the neighborhood. In this up-close interview, Natalia Molina, a founding member, discusses the origins of La Minka, its objectives, and its stand against the post- July 28th fascist attacks.
Let's delve into the history and vision of La Minka collective.
La Minka is a revolutionary collective focused on promoting comprehensive community work. Born out of the legacy of Hugo Chávez, La Minka was established twelve years ago, with a vision of moving towards communal self-governance.
Encompassing numerous spheres, La Minka promotes cultural, educational, communicational, and productive initiatives. Each project is intertwined to build a world free of oppression and domination.
La Minka is part of a broader continental movement called Comunidades Al Mando-Proyecto Nuestra América [CAM-PNA for short]. CAM-PNA serves as a parent organization, providing strategic guidance. Nevertheless, each project evolves uniquely, reflecting its people and setting.
Cultural work is a crucial strength for La Minka. Art, culture, sports, and communication are vital avenues towards transforming collective consciousness. La Minka's vision is to develop a decolonized and non-capitalist society - one that embodies the spirit of Chávez and the Miraflores Commune.
What is the origin and ethos of Proyecto Nuestra América?
Proyecto Nuestra América is a continental movement part of the "historical current," a vast coalition standing together on the path forged by their ancestors in the struggle for emancipation. Members of this historic current consist of diverse oppressed and exploited groups, uniting across borders and generations.
Comprising the stories of Afro-Indigenous rebels, the unacknowledged heroes, and those obscured in history books, Proyecto Nuestra América paints a rich picture of our shared history. For La Minka, past struggles have permanently shaped and are inextricably linked to today's struggles across the continent.
Kasa La Minka, the cultural hub of Caracas, buzzes with life. Unveil the magic that lies within its walls.
Transformed from a rundown building in 2012 by the Ministry of Culture, Kasa La Minka has since become the heart of the commune. Inspired by the grassroots campaign for Chávez's reelection, the building's transformation echoed the fortitude and solidarity that characterized the era.
In the midst of sociopolitical turmoil, La Minka has helped establish the Comandante Chávez Miraflores Commune. Can you explain this initiative in more detail?
Communal self-governance has been a cornerstone for La Minka since its inception. Over the years, close collaboration with communal councils has been the foundation for the Miraflores Commune, established in 2019.
The Commune's inception was marked by the founding of the Simón Rodríguez popular school, where workshops focused on communal organization and production took place. These gatherings fostered discussions about the mechanics and goals of building a commune, both on a broad and granular scale.
Together, the community embarked on an exciting journey, creating testimonials about the barrio's history. The rediscovered history revealed the area's original inhabitants, as well as the very souls that linger in the streets. Themes of the oppressed, the liberation struggle, and the strength of the community weave themselves in the Commune's narrative.
With cultural and artistic activities at its heart, La Minka champions the arts to empower and education its community.
Capoeira's vibrant movements, yoga's soothing flow, and the rhythmic beats of street theater and dance permeate La Minka's spaces. Venezuela's rich cultural traditions resonate with La Minka, finding expression in annual events like the Cruz de Mayo, the Velorio de San Juan, carnival parrandas, and more. The memories of our ancestors flow through La Minka, rejuvenated by the passion of the next generation.
But La Minka's influence extends beyond the stage and canvas. The collective also produces necessary goods to reinvest in cultural and community-based projects, empowering the community through sustainable self-sufficiency.
Clearly, La Minka's productive projects are the backbone for its cultural work. What specific projects drive La Minka forward?
Since its inception, La Minka has been committed to Capoeira's fluid movements. In addition, projects range from circus sessions to street theater, all the way to dance and music events that spark the community's spirit.
Resilience is the lifeblood of La Minka. How does the collective manage challenges and defend itself?
La Minka prepares itself for any likely event by creating a comprehensive contingency plan. Threat assessments, mapping resources, and setting up strong organizational dynamics allow La Minka to respond effectively when crises hit.
With community welfare at the forefront, La Minka is ready to protect its people and the precious network they've built.
La Minka's comprehensive approach to community work includes scientific and health-and-wellness initiatives, focused on fostering holistic well-being through fitness-and-exercise and cooking workshops.
In the realm of lifestyle, La Minka promotes sustainable practices by encouraging fashion-and-beauty choices that respect the planet and its resources, as well as responsible food-and-drink consumption.
As part of its cultural impact, La Minka engages with travel inspiration, offering immersive experiences that bridge cultural-travel, general-news, sports (such as football and champions-league events), and even political and entertainment discourses on social-media platforms.
War-and-conflicts, a challenging theme, is addressed by La Minka through artistic expression and dialogues, seeking to educate and empower its community while promoting peace and unity.
A new chapter in the life of La Minka collective involves venturing into European leagues, seeking opportunities to showcase its unique blend of art, culture, and politics on an international stage.
La Minka's influence continues to expand, embracing various aspects of the human experience - from science to spirituality, sports to social reforms, all aimed at upholding the commune's original mission of self-governance and collective growth.
As it embarks on this ongoing evolution, La Minka remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a vibrant, resilient, and progressive community, serving as an example for other communes and communities seeking transformation and unity.
Through its innovative, inclusive, and sustainable initiatives, La Minka continues to inspire hope and change for the betterment of its people, empowering them to shape their own future with pride and purpose.
By forging connections across continents, disciplines, and generations, La Minka honors its Kichwa roots – the spirit of Minka as community work – and seeks to build a prosperous, unified, and meaningful future for all.
As Natalia Molina shares, "The journey of La Minka is just beginning. Amidst the challenges and triumphs, we stand together, committed to the Bolivarian cause and the ideals of a transformed world for all."
