Barcelona Libraries host conversations with authors during Sant Jordi week

Late April is a time for literature and exploration. Sant Jordi, one of Catalonia’s most beloved traditions, takes place every year on April 23 and sees couples gift each other books and roses. Hundreds of sellers will take to the streets of Barcelona and many other towns and cities across Catalonia to celebrate the day in a 'literary superblock.'

It is also a time that literature is celebrated widely across the country. On the day of Sant Jordi each year, it’s normal to see authors set up stalls on particular streets or in certain bookstores and meet with their readers who come to see them, enjoy a conversation, and have a book signed.

In parallel to this special day, plenty of events are usually organized in the week leading up to April 23 with various literary discussions, roundtables, and meet-and-greets. 

As such, Barcelona Libraries have organized a special program of conversations with local and international authors on April 19-21. Held in the CCCB and in the auditorium of the Design Hub, writers and readers will come together to discuss topics such as language, music from ancient Greece, as well as Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the horrors unfolding in the Eastern European country. 

Among the writers who will feature in the series of discussions are Burhan Sönmez, Maksim Óssipov, and Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk. Some of the local authors and poets featuring include Blanca Llum Vidal, Eva Baltasar, and Marta Carnicero.

The events are all free to attend, and below you can find a detailed itinerary of the program. 

Tuesday, April 19 – Design Hub Auditorium

5.30 pm – Blanca Llum Vidal and Agustín Fernández Mallo. Presented by: Inés Macpherson. The two authors will speak with Inés Macpherson about their latest works, ‘La princesa sou vós’ and ‘El libro de todos los amores’.

6.30 pm – Maxim Ossipov. The Russian author and cardiologist will speak with to Marta Rebón about his latest book ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors: And Other Stories’.

7.30 pm – Eva Baltasar, Marta Carnicero, and Laura Gost. Pilar Argudo will host the closing session of the first day’s program speaking with the three authors about their works, ‘Mamut’ ‘Matrioixques’, and ‘El món es torna senzill’. 

Wednesday, April 20 – CCCB

6 pm – David Trueba and Juan Tallón will speak with David Guzmán a about their latest pieces ‘Dear Children’ and ‘Masterpiece’.

7.30 pm – Burhan Sönmez will discuss the 100th anniversary of the founding of PEN Català, the international association of writers promoting friendship and intellectual cooperation with Simona Škrabec. They will also discuss Sönmez’s latest work, ‘Laberint’. 

Thursday, April 21 - Design Hub Auditorium

5.30pm – Orhan Pamu, presented by Xavier Graset. The Turkish novelist will speak about his latest release, ‘Plague Nights’.

6.30 pm – Santiago Auserón and Pedro Olalla chat with Sílvia Marimon about their latest works, ‘Arte sonora’ and ‘Palabras del Egeo’.

7.30 pm – Jo Nesbo and Núria Bendicho discuss their works ‘El hombre celoso’ and ‘Terres mortes’ with Núria Juanico.