2nd edition of Barcelona Historical Novel
From the 17th to the 22nd of November the Born Centre Cultural will host conferences and activities relating to this literary genre
The month of November in the Born Centre Cultural has become synonymous with the historical novel, this being the second year running in which the centre has played host to Barcelona Historical Novel, a festival designed as a meeting place for authors and readers of the genre. In this year’s edition, furthermore, the emphasis will be placed on three distinct commemorations.
First of all, the commemoration of two thousand years since the death of Emperor Augustus, the founder of Barcino, the original name for what was to become Barcelona. Next up is the centenary of the beginning of World War I, which took place from 1914 to 1918, and which is also commemorated in an exhibition entitled Barcelona, Neutral Zone (1914-1918), which can be seen in the Miró Foundation and for which invitations can be acquired by taking part in a number of activities included in the Historical Novel programme. The final commemoration is that of the Carnation, or 25th of April revolution, which took place in Portugal 40 years ago this year.
The programme includes conferences, meetings with authors, readers’ clubs in libraries throughout the city, writer’s workshops and a number of cultural tours designed to acquaint participants with the city of Barcelona during Roman times and during the years of the First World War. Visitors will have an opportunity to discuss the presence of the First World War in novels, the existence of the historical novel for women and the subject of sex during the Roman Empire.
Other subjects to be approached include the limits between fiction and documentary and historiographical rigour, the construction process behind the historical novel and the transformation of historical novels into films, in which emphasis will be put on what is known as Peplum, or Sword and Sandal, a film genre that encompasses Period Adventure Film.
The Barcelona City Council will also be presenting the Barcino International Historical Novel Award, an award granted to authors for their overall contribution to the genre. While last year’s winner was Lindsey Davis, this year’s award will go to Valencian Santiago Posteguillo, one of the best-known specialists in the recreation of Ancient Rome. Posteguillo will also offer a conference dealing with Roman heroes on Friday the 21st of November.
The Barcelona Historical Novel Festival will take place from the 17th to the 22nd of November in the Born Centre Cultural. Entry is free to the centre but inscription is required for the cultural tours. More information is available here.