The city of Huelva is preparing to experience two intense days dedicated entirely to Fantastic literature in its fantasy, science fiction, and horror subgenresThe second edition of the Atlántica Festival will transform the capital of Huelva into a meeting place for writers, readers and fans of imaginary worlds, with an agenda that combines talks, urban routes, creative activities and spaces for cultural coexistence.
On April 10th and 11th, the Sala El Comercial will be the epicenter of an event that It aspires to establish itself as an Ibero-American reference in the genres of the imaginary.Organized by the Cajasol Foundation and coordinated by the Atlántica Literary Association of Huelva, the festival offers a varied program that includes everything from specialized round tables to more playful activities, designed to bring these narratives closer to diverse audiences.
A festival dedicated to imagination in the heart of Huelva
The Atlántica Festival will be held in the Sala El Comercial, located at 12 Jesús Nazareno Street in HuelvaA central location that will facilitate access for both locals and visitors. All announced activities are free of charge until capacity is reached, reinforcing the open and accessible nature of the event.
This second edition maintains the main focus of its proposal: An Ibero-American festival focused on fantasy, science fiction, and horror literatureWith a special focus on emerging voices and female creators who are revitalizing the genre, the city is thus positioning itself on the map of European literary events dedicated to fantasy, with an approach that combines reflection, dissemination, and cultural entertainment.
The organization's objective is to position Huelva as a point of reference within the calendar of specialized festivals, sharing space with quotes like Back to the Book and further strengthening the cultural fabric of the area. The collaboration between the Cajasol Foundation and the Atlantic Huelva Literary Association guarantees a carefully curated program, taking into account the interests of both regular readers of the genre and those who wish to explore these narrative territories for the first time.
The appointment has been designed to function as a a meeting place for authors, readers and creators from different disciplinesThroughout the two days, talks, round tables, themed routes and participatory activities will alternate, so that the public can choose between proposals of a more theoretical nature and others of an experiential or playful nature.
Guest authors and leading voices in fantasy literature
One of the great attractions of the Atlántica Festival is the presence of Authors who have gained prominence within contemporary fantasy in SpainAmong the most anticipated names is Aránzazu Serrano, who will participate in a panel dedicated to epic fantasy, sharing the stage with other writers specializing in the creation of imaginary worlds.
Alongside her will be Eva Amuedo, Gemma Solsona, Ángeles Mora, Jesús Relinque and Celia Corralamong other guests. Their contributions will be spread across different activities, from conversations about the construction of fictional universes to debates about brevity and strangeness in fantasy narratives.
The festival also has the involvement of Mar Toscano and Alma AlanísThese women, in addition to being part of the coordination team, will participate in some of the scheduled activities. Their presence reinforces the collaborative nature of the event, in which women writers play a central role in reflecting on gender and its many possibilities.
This variety of voices allows the public to have access to very different perspectives on fantasy, science fiction, and horrorFrom those who work with classical epics to those who explore short formats or combine elements of folklore with contemporary approaches, the result is a mosaic of perspectives that reflects the current diversity of fantasy literature in Latin America.
The presence of these authors is completed with signing sessions and close encounters with the publicgiving attendees the opportunity to converse in a more relaxed manner, ask questions or discuss readings, something that is usually especially valued by fans of the genre.
A journey through the folklore of Huelva and its fantastic creatures
One of the thematic axes that differentiates this festival is its attention to local imagery and folklore of HuelvaIn this area, the participation of illustrator and writer Javier Prado stands out, who will focus part of his presentation on fantastic creatures linked to the tradition of Huelva.
Prado will give a specific talk on Monsters and legendary beings from the folklore of HuelvaThis activity will explore myths, folk tales, and figures that have transitioned from oral tradition to new forms of storytelling. It not only recovers stories from the region but also connects them to contemporary fantasy literature, demonstrating how they persist in the modern imagination.
In addition, the program includes proposals such as (Re)creating monstersIn this activity, Javier Prado will share the stage with Jesús Relinque to delve into the creation and recreation of imaginary creatures. This session is conceived as a point of convergence between traditional folklore and new fantasy narratives, with a special focus on the design process of characters and beings that inhabit these universes.
The focus on the local, far from limiting the scope of the festival, It opens a way to understand how the myths of the territory are integrated into an Ibero-American frameworkHuelva, in this sense, becomes both a setting and an inspiration, contributing its own legends to the set of fantastic references that circulate among readers and creators.
This dialogue between the personal and the universal helps the audience feel involved, because recognizes landscapes, stories or figures typical of its environment, while seeing them reinterpreted within the broader tradition of genre literature.
Activities for all audiences: tables, routes and cultural experiences
The Atlántica Festival program has been designed to be attractive and accessible to both the most specialized readers and those who approach it out of curiosityTherefore, there are alternating discussion panels, informative talks, and cultural leisure activities that invite you to experience fantasy beyond the book.
Among the main activities, the following stand out: Roundtables dedicated to epic fantasy, science fiction, and short storiesSpaces such as “Epic Women Writers” or “The Brief and the Strange” will offer the public the opportunity to listen to authors who work in these formats, with special attention to the role of women in the construction of fantasy worlds and the potential of short stories to generate impact.
The festival also includes events such as “Don’t trust fairies”, a session that delves into the less friendly and more unsettling versions of these creatures, far removed from children's clichés, and which will serve to review some imaginaries traditionally associated with the marvelous.
For those seeking a more participatory experience, a program has been scheduled, among other offerings. Black stories, a literary work by Jesús RelinqueThis activity, in a game format, invites participants to test their imagination and deductive reasoning skills based on intricate stories and atmospheres typical of mystery and suspense.
The underlying idea is that anyone can find an activity that suits them: from those who want to listen and learn to those who prefer to be more actively involvedThe range of formats aims to make the festival an intergenerational meeting point open to different audience profiles.
Urban routes, food and wine pairing tasting and live podcast
Beyond the indoor screenings, the Atlántica Festival expands its offerings with experiences that bring fantasy to the streets of HuelvaAmong them is the "Mysterious Huelva" route, organized in collaboration with Veritarte, which will have several tours throughout the days.
This route proposes a tour through Places linked to unusual stories, legends, and curious episodes of the cityOffering a different perspective on everyday spaces, the activity, designed as a guided walk, aims to help participants discover lesser-known corners and stories while immersing themselves in an atmosphere of mystery.
Another unique proposal is the Wine and literature pairing tastingDeveloped in collaboration with Bodegas Contreras Ruiz, this event will combine wine tasting with readings and references to fantasy, creating a fusion of wine culture and literary creation that adds a sensory component to the festival experience.
The programming also includes a Live podcast with audience from Windumanoth magazineA leading name in fantasy, science fiction, and horror within the Spanish-speaking world. The recording, open to the public, will offer an inside look at how specialized content in these genres is created, with time for interviews, commentary, and audience participation.
These activities reinforce the idea that the festival is not limited to a traditional format of book presentations, but rather Explore mixed formulas that combine leisure, culture, and education, making the city fully integrated into the development of the meeting.
First Short Story Contest and Reading Marathon
One of the key moments of this edition will be the final of the 1st Short Story Competition of the Atlántica FestivalThe competition, focused on short stories linked to the genres of the imaginary, will culminate in a public reading marathon where the selected texts will be revealed.
The marathon will serve both to to listen aloud to the participating works in order to proceed with the awards ceremonybecoming a space for celebrating emerging talent. The proposal underscores the festival's commitment to literary creation, especially in short formats, which have gained relevance in the fantasy genre.
This type of initiative opens the door to new voices, many of them coming from areas not necessarily professionalfind a place to share your stories. For the public, it also offers an opportunity to discover short stories with a powerful capacity for suggestion, all in just a few lines.
The focus on microfiction fits with the festival's overall philosophy, which seeks to encourage participation and not limit itself solely to the figure of the established authorThe collective reading and the open nature of the event reinforce that sense of community that permeates much of the program.
Overall, this second edition of the Atlántica Festival presents itself as An event that combines reflection, entertainment, and shared creation around fantasy, science fiction, and horrorFor two days, Huelva will be filled with impossible creatures, local legends, tiny stories and great sagas, offering those who come the possibility of exploring other worlds without leaving the city.
