Art as a tool for “a healthy and creative old age”

The 84-year-old author lived in our province and currently resides in Buenos Aires, where he is a member of the “Mirarte” group, which provides cultural guidance services for seniors at the Malba Museum. This Thursday, he will present his book “Historias de allá ité” at the Oberá Provincial Book Fair.
Writer Hugo Schamber will present his book “Historias de allá ité” this Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the Oberá Book Fair. In it, he recounts anecdotes from Misiones' popular culture and rescues some places and people from the region from collective oblivion. The writer, who lived, worked, and raised a family in Posadas, has just turned 84 and is convinced of the importance of seniors approaching art as a way to “exercise the mind and body with activities that are good for us, that teach us, that make us feel useful, and that we can help others discover the beauty of interpreting a sculpture or sharing a reading.”

El Territorio spoke with Schamber, who currently resides in Buenos Aires, where he is part of a group called "Mirarte" that provides cultural guidance services for seniors at the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (Malba). "It's a project we started a couple of years ago with the goal of helping older people, who may have never been to a museum, to be encouraged to visit these art spaces to gain a first insight into this universe, which can be an excellent lifeline to avoid foundering in the loneliness of old age," he explained.
He then emphasized that "places like museums, book fairs, cultural centers, and libraries shouldn't be seen as exclusive spaces for experts. They are for everyone, and even more so when you reach a certain age, where you have to avoid staying at home and try to find groups of people or activities that help you feel better."

According to Schamber, “art is an excellent tool for aging creatively and healthily. It's also an activity we can all do. Painting, writing, reading, drawing, singing, or dancing. Whatever you like best, the important thing is to take the plunge and take that first step,” said the interviewee, who will be visiting the Oberá Book Fair this Thursday.

Where is 'alla ite'?

Hugo Schamber was born in the Chaco city of Quitilipi, but his studies and work took him to different places around the world. He spent most of his life in Posadas, which is why his books bear the seal of being made in Misiones. And this latest book, to be presented at the Oberá Book Fair, has in its name a very common expression in Misiones vocabulary: 'alla ité'.

“The term ‘allá ité’ is used a lot by missionaries and in the coastal region of our country to mean a distant but at the same time very beloved place, something like ‘way out there.’ And I gave the book that title because it captures stories lived a long time ago in very beloved places,” he explained.
He then emphasized that “great artists have used this popular term, such as Pocho Roch’s well-known chamamé, ‘Pueblero de Alla Ite.’ It’s also a phrase we use quite a bit in everyday life, and it had been ringing in my head for a while, so I thought it was perfect to include it in the title of the book.”
This is the fourth book written by Schamber, who describes himself as “passionate about history, art, cultural activities, and community work.”

Retirement, a key moment

The long-awaited moment of retirement from the working world when one is currently active is crucial for many people because after a lifetime of working hours, the time suddenly comes to lose that routine.
And if we add to this the fact that pensions in our country are not sufficient income for what is needed at this stage of life and that due to some physical ailment, people are starting to leave their homes less. It's a perfect combination for physical and mental deterioration.

“That's why, when I retired, I began to engage in different cultural activities because that's key if we want to achieve a healthy longevity. And from that quest, this 'Mirarte' group was born, with which we work at the Malba Museum so that other older adults can come see the exhibits and receive information about art,” Schamber noted.

The writer emphasized that “this task of reaching older adults through art is very interesting, because many of those who go have never visited a museum before.” He added: “Our role as a cultural mediator doesn't seek to be a guide who talks nonstop, but rather someone who listens to their reaction when they see the paintings or sculptures. It's truly fascinating.”

Finally, Schamber emphasized that “longevity has been extended. And if things continue like this, we will become more and more. Therefore, it is necessary to observe how we older adults are doing, and what we can do to feel better. And at this point, I believe art has a lot to offer us.”

Thursday 10th Program at the Oberá Book Fair

The book exhibition and sales grounds in the gymnasium of the Mariano Institute of Oberá are open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Book presentations and lectures begin at 5:30 p.m. in the hall adjacent to the exhibition area.
Presentations:
5:30 PM: Priest Ariel Manavella, "Pope Francis"

6:00 PM: "Historias de allá ité" (Stories from All That Is), by Ramón Hugo Schamber

6:30 PM: Orlando Javier Chamorro-Mariela Stumpf, "Zahorí" (Water Diviner)

7:00 PM: Teachers from the Secondary Education Language and Literature Department of the Carlos Linneo Institute, "Mario Vargas Llosa and His Influence on Latin American Literature."

Also, at the FPL cultural space, in the Oberá Bicentennial Cultural Center

At 8:00 PM: Delia Ester Borowsky. "Golden Wedding. Nostalgia." The Oberá Board of Historical Studies will be present.

All Book Fair activities are free and open to the whole family.
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