Andeleeb Cartonera is a local grassroots press made to bring attention to the war in Gaza and the West Bank and the oppression of Palestinians, and to uplift Palestinian voices. Founded by Saylín Álvarez, Andeleeb hosts cartonera-making workshops, inviting the community to make book covers and donate cartoneras to schools or distribute to little libraries.
“Cartoneras are cheap and independent,” said Álvarez. “I like them because the materials are tangible, and they can touch people. Initially, I started with speeches and articles I read online to counter the misinformation and state propaganda against Palestinian humanity. Cartoneras are unique and eye-catching. Opening a cartonera can be the first step to changing how people think.”
The zine-like books are made with cardboard covers as an independent and cost-effective way to educate people. The grassroots movement to publish cartoneras originated in Argentina in 2001 as a rebellious, underground way of spreading information.
She says this project has always been political. “It was born because of the genocide. What’s more political than that? Art carries the message and is impactful on the local perspective of Palestinians. Art is a tool of the cartonera. I try to educate people to cause political change, no matter how small.”
Álvarez was inspired to begin Andeleeb Cartonera by the pro-Palestine encampments at UW-Madison in 2024. “The encampments were a wonderful experience,” she said. She reflected on solidarity between Jewish and Muslim students in the encampment, as they shielded each other during prayers.
“The police repression against peaceful pro-Palestine protestors was on another level,” she said. The students were protesting to get transparency on the university’s investments in Israeli companies and weapons.
“This should enrage you. The international order is not willing to refuse Israel. If you are a mother, Black, Indigenous, wake up. Our histories are shared around the world and with Palestine,” Álvarez said.
This turning point led her to create Andeleeb Cartonera, to counter the narrative of intensive dehumanization and misinformation against Palestinians.“I make cartoneras for Palestine because it is something I know how to do,” she said. “It’s the least I can do.”
Álvarez founded Andeleeb Cartonera in August 2024 with about $150. She provides the workshops with many of her own art materials. The first Andeleeb workshop was hosted in her backyard, where participants made over 50 cardboard covers.
When asked about donations, Álvarez encourages people to donate to authors in Palestine.
In the workshops, participants use paint, markers, and other art materials to produce creative cardboard covers for the titles they choose. The workshop also serves as a place of conversation and community for the pro-Palestine movement in Madison.
Finding a location to host the cartonera-making workshops was a collaborative effort. Rafah Sister City Project, World Beyond War, Jewish Voice for Peace, participants of the encampment, Christ Presbyterian Church, and other Madison residents helped connect Andeleeb with spaces like Room of One’s Own and Madison Friends Meeting House.
In the past two years, Andeleeb Cartonera also had a presence at Zine Fest.
“In the description of Andeleeb, the library cut the parts about Palestine,” said Álvarez, “This reflects how pro-Palestine voices are targeted or neutralized. It was strategic; what mattered was that the cartonera was there to connect with people. I love the library, but organizations feel they need to hide Palestine to avoid problems.”
Álvarez has collected 98 titles, each with 8 to 10 translations, resulting in thousands of copies made by Madison residents.
She chooses the titles based on what she finds relevant, what she feels will reach hearts and minds, and what workshop participants suggest. The first step to printing a title is contacting authors to get permission. “Many big writers accept immediately,” she said. “It’s really heartwarming”. She said many authors are happy to get their message shared. “I include visuals to connect to people, I add pictures of the authors to show they are like everybody here. They’re like your daughter or your cousin,” she said.
Among the early titles were the poem “Write My Name” by Zeina Azzam and parts of the open letter from American medical professionals who served in Gaza in 2024.
Since then, Andeleeb has published works from several famous authors, including the late journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Mosab Abu Toha, the late Refaat Alareer, The Hind Rajab Collection, and the United Nations’ Francesca Albanese.
In these readings, Álvarez found similarities with the realities of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to her own background.
“I am from Cuba. As a victim of imperialism, I need to say something. I lived in the Cuban crisis since I was born, the embargo and being punished by the US,” she said. “One country shouldn’t have the capacity to sink another country. The supplies blockages, ridiculous rules, and the propaganda machine, at different levels, I see connections between Cuba and Gaza.”
Based on this experience, she wants change.
“I want to see tangible policies,” Álvarez said, “Universities have lots of power and ally themselves with weapons, governments, and billionaires. We need to challenge the lack of transparency at all levels. I also want the government to change the definition of antisemitism from criticism of isreal which was made to prevent action and punish people and institutions that protest.”
Her goal is divestment and boycott of Israeli weapons and industry pensions.
“People aren’t aware or don’t care we are living through a genocide while it is being livestreamed,” said Álvarez, “I remember the Rwandan genocide. We got some news, but that’s it. For two years, we watched victims record their own martyrs. The word ceasefire doesn’t mean ceasefire anymore. Just seeing this should change your mind and move you to action.”
Those interested can learn more about Andeleeb Cartonera at their website.
The cartonera workshops are open to everyone; times and locations of the workshops are posted on Instagram @andeleebcartonera.
