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Situated in the center of the nation’s capital, El Salvador’s BINAES library stands as a testament to the appreciation of knowledge, literary works, and technology—available to the public around the clock, at no cost. Located directly opposite and meticulously aligned with the Catedral Metropolitana de San Salvador, BINAES is also bordered by the Palacio Nacional de El Salvador (on its left side) and the Jardín Centroamérica, all serving as symbols and reminders of an aspiration. The aspiration for a community that cherishes and shares beauty, intellectual pursuits, and faith with the world.
Having visited numerous countries and cities throughout my life, I must commend the security, serenity, and tidiness of this particular area in San Salvador. It presents a striking contrast to the public spaces in many Western capitals, which are often perceived as insecure, littered, and occupied by the unhoused and those struggling with addiction. Here, both outside the library, within the gardens and pedestrian walkways of the city square, as well as inside the library, palace, and gardens, families and children are seen enjoying themselves peacefully, moving about freely and cherishing this national asset.
The BINAES, a gift to El Salvador from the Chinese government, comprises seven floors and offers a wide array of facilities, including a cafeteria on the ground floor and an Italian dining establishment on the seventh. It provides ample space for hosting events of varying scales, both public and private. BINAES distinguishes itself with its sophisticated, futuristic aesthetic, aligning with its amenities and El Salvador’s forward-looking vision, which notably incorporates Bitcoin technology and educational resources.
With a primary focus on supporting families and the upcoming generation, the second level features a children’s play area equipped with educational materials, books, and physical activities designed for children to expend their energy. The third floor dedicates a substantial area to LEGOs, recognized as a potent educational tool for fostering an interest in construction among children, complete with multiple tables where parents can engage in play with their kids. This level also hosts children’s video games, including cooperative and family-oriented titles such as Mario Party and the iconic Minecraft.
The fourth floor is designed for children aged 8-12, as well as enthusiasts of fantasy and fiction, featuring dedicated sections for Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter, alongside hundreds of manga titles presenting some of the finest narratives in the Japanese genre. Many of these areas showcase collectible-grade LEGO sets and merchandise from the films, in addition to, naturally, comprehensive book collections for each fictional universe.
The fifth floor is dedicated to literature, history, and adult reading material, considered the library’s core, housing thousands of books across all major knowledge genres. Among these, a substantial collection on social sciences, including economics, features works from proponents of Austrian economics like Mises, Milton Friedman, Rothbard, and Ayn Rand, although the variety could be more extensive.
This particular subject, crucial to Bitcoin’s historical context, economic theory, and cultural origins, drew some criticism towards the library years ago upon its completion. At that time, a widely shared tweet alleged the library lacked works on libertarian economic theory. While this has since been rectified, there is still room for enhancement. For instance, the collection previously did not include Rand’s fictional works, only a couple of her philosophical writings. This is an area that could easily be improved, especially since the library welcomes book donations. Interested individuals can contribute by contacting BINAES staff via email at [email protected].
The sixth floor is designated as the high-tech zone. Upon exiting the elevators, visitors are greeted by a Bitcoin-shaped bookshelf housing a robust collection of Bitcoin literature, covering topics such as its economics, software architecture, and the history of money, among many others. This specific installation is a creation by Alejandra Guajardo, also known as Miss Bitcoin, the Salvadoran model who represented her nation in the 2022 Miss Universe pageant. Her initiative, the Bitcoin Book Shelf, aims to establish similar installations in libraries globally, with an expansion into Mexico currently in development. Bitcoin enthusiasts interested in spearheading the installation of Bitcoin bookshelves in their local libraries can connect with her to facilitate this.
At the core of the same floor, a welcoming Bitcoin lounge area features another similarly shaped bookshelf and various Bitcoin plush toys known as Little Hodlers, created by artist and Bitcoin advocate Lina Seiche. A large screen displays Mempool.space, a sophisticated and widely used Bitcoin block explorer that provides real-time network data and statistics.
This floor also houses 3D printers, robotics equipment, interactive digital whiteboards, a comprehensive gaming area with high-end consoles, a virtual reality zone, public computers for research, and a digital collection of over nine million books. Additionally, it provides various dedicated workspace environments for students and teams to utilize for their projects.
Finally, the seventh floor hosts the art gallery. At the time of my visit, it featured a diverse array of artworks depicting El Salvador’s history through the architecture of notable local landmarks. Centered within this exhibition hall, between the gallery and the Basílico Italian Bistro, are photographs of Bukele and First Lady Gabriela Bukele, precisely aligned with the Metropolitan Cathedral across the square. This exquisite architectural detail enhances a harmonious connection between classical arts and faith.
In summary, despite the library’s modern, technologically advanced design, which presents a slight contrast to the area’s classical Roman architecture, the BINAES library is poised to endure as a visionary legacy of the self-proclaimed Philosopher King and his administration.
Learn more at : bitcoinmagazine.com