Presentatión “Mulleres Bateeiras”
Opmega dives into the past to make visible the historical role of women in the sector
The exhibition “Mulleres Bateeiras. O méxillón a través das mans das mulleres”, which can be seen on Castelao de Vilagarcía street from tomorrow, March 8, until the end of the month, is the result of collaboration between the Organization of Mussel Producers of Galicia and the Mulleres Salgadas Association . Its objective: to value the role of women in Galician miticultura, of which more than 1,600 professionals are part, according to the latest official data.
About twenty photographs from 1952 to the present, spread over ten information panels, make up the exhibition installed in the center of Vilargarcía, thanks to the support of the Department of Equality. An area of great commercial activity where it will remain until the end of March. The exhibition documents that women have been present -and in many cases continue to be so- in all phases of mussel production, from the beginning of the history of mussel farming to the present day. For this reason, from Opmega they have wanted to recognize the importance of their work by giving it the visibility that they did not have for many years.
This is an initiative in which Opmega and the Association of Mulleres Salgadas have been working for several months and which is part of a broader collaboration strategy aimed at highlighting the “fundamental” work of women in the development of the sector.
The woman in the history of miticultura
Traditionally, each family unit was in charge of the work in the rafts, with the woman as a fundamental part. The mechanization of the processes made the work formula evolve but did not diminish the female weight in a task that, historically, has been passed from mothers to daughters.
The photographic exhibition that will be inaugurated in Vilagarcía seeks to put a face, name and surname to these women who, without knowing it, made history and are a model of resilience and willpower.
After its inauguration, the idea is that this exhibition can be taken to schools to involve students in the history of these professionals. In many cases, especially in the Ría de Arousa, it will help young people to see first-hand the efforts made by their mothers and grandmothers.