Propósito del Tapiz
Del mismo modo que la evolución de la vida deja en el genoma un pasado resumido del cual no recoge noticias precisas, sino instrucciones de supervivencia, útiles alguna vez, en apretadas cajas de herramientas que llegan al tiempo presente, y cuyo manual es difícil desentrañar en su enorme complejidad, la oralidad puede ser un recurso inesperado para tentar la sabiduría acumulada en las poblaciones rurales, pesqueras o indígenas, donde rastrear pruebas de refranes, frases hechas, dichos, adivinanzas, coplas, romances, retahílas, canciones, recetas, conjuros… que muestren mayor respeto por su entorno natural, o mayor cautela sentida por aquellas poblaciones ante su futuro, ante las novedades a la venta, ante las ilusiones juveniles o ambiciones desmedidas.
Imaginamos que esta línea de trabajo brinda estímulo, cada 3 de noviembre en cada Reserva o Red de Reservas, para emitir mensajes como intercambio fecundo entre campo y ciudad, entre abuelas y nietos, entre filosofía, antropología y lingüística… Acaso se pueda lograr trasladar la sabiduría que el tiempo largo acumula en mayor serenidad, frente al frenesí metropolitano.
Los mensajes de las Reservas a emitir cabría seleccionarlos a partir del diagnóstico (Pablo Meira, Univ.Veracruzana, 28/05/25) sobre las razones culturales, sociales, psicológicas… que motivan conductas de personas y entidades irresponsables con el futuro del planeta y de sus múltiples seres vivientes.
Para una nueva etapa del Tapiz, que pueda alcance a llegar a la Red Mundial de RBs, surge esta sección web. Pedimos que enlacen y desarrollen desde Redes de Reservas, Universidades, centros escolares, geriátricos, asociaciones…
Una historia tejida entre palabras, saberes y territorios
Purpose of the Tapestry
(Traducción automática DeepL)
Just as the evolution of life leaves behind in the genome a summarized past—not as precise memories, but as survival instructions, once useful, packed into tight toolboxes that reach the present, and whose manual is difficult to decode in all its complexity—oral tradition can be an unexpected resource to access the accumulated wisdom of rural, fishing, or Indigenous communities. It is there that we can trace expressions such as proverbs, idioms, sayings, riddles, couplets, ballads, chants, recipes, and spells… which reflect greater respect for the natural environment, or a deep-seated caution toward the future, the lure of novelty, youthful illusions or unbridled ambition.
We envision this line of work as a source of inspiration, especially on November 3rd in each Reserve or Network of Reserves, to release messages as fruitful exchanges between countryside and city, between grandmothers and grandchildren, between philosophy, anthropology and linguistics… A space to try and transfer the long-term wisdom accumulated in serenity, in contrast to the metropolitan frenzy.
Messages issued by the Reserves may be selected based on the diagnosis (Pablo Meira, Universidad Veracruzana, 28/05/25) of the cultural, social and psychological reasons behind the irresponsible behavior of individuals and entities toward the planet and its many living beings.
This website section emerges as part of a new phase of the Tapestry, with the aim of reaching the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (BRs). We invite Reserve Networks, universities, schools, elderly centers and associations to connect with and develop the initiative.
A story woven between words, wisdom and territories
(Traducción automática DeepL)
Since its inception in the Lanzarote Biosphere Reserve, the Tapestry of Words has grown as a cultural, ecological, and symbolic initiative that intertwines popular wisdom with respect for nature. Inspired by the 50th anniversary of UNESCO’s MaB Programme, the Tapestry emerged in 2021 as a tribute to local knowledge, expressed through words that reflect how communities relate to their natural surroundings.
That same year, the Scientific Committee of the Lanzarote BR formally approved the Tapestry of Words (Spanish), also available in English.
In 2022, a pilot test from the perspective of Anthropology was submitted to the Autonomous Agency of National Parks (OAPN), marking the beginning of its possible expansion.
In 2023, the Council of Managers of the Spanish Network of BRs created a Specific Working Group (GETzR) to develop the new strand of the project: the
Tapestry of Proverbs, centered on traditional expressions that condense reflections on the relationship between society and the biosphere.
In 2024, the group formally proposed the creation of a digital repository hosted on the OAPN-MaB website. Although still pending implementation, this tool is seen as key for preserving and sharing this linguistic and ecological heritage.
Finally, in September 2025, the Spanish MaB Committee approved, at the proposal of the Council of Managers of the Spanish BR Network, the presentation of the Tapestry of Proverbs in China as an official initiative at the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves (WCBR), 5th WCBR (UNESCO), an international event bringing together 136 countries, over 750 reserves and around 2,000 participants.
Thus, this symbolic tapestry—woven with words, proverbs and memories—continues to grow with the ambition of becoming a shared archive of wisdom across cultures, territories and generations. A mirror in which each Biosphere Reserve can recognize itself and project its voice to the world.
Hangzhou 2025