The official opening took place in the hemicycle of the fortress, where the authors arrived amidst greetings from the public after touring a hallway dressed with a black carpetThe opening ceremony was led by the president of the Valladolid Provincial Council, Conrado Ćscar, along with the festival's creators, writers Dolores Redondo and CĆ©sar PĆ©rez Gellida.
Literary program and guest authors
The poster brings together top names: The signatories of Carmen Mola and authors such as Luz GabĆ”s, Santiago Posteguillo, Fernando Aramburu, Mikel Santiago, Leonardo Padura, Carlos ZanĆ³n and Manuel Vilas, who will share their careers, books and anecdotes with journalist Raquel Martos.
The agenda includes three editorial premieres: light gabas will reveal details of his new novel, Heart of Gold; Fernando Aramburu will address Man Down; and Santiago Posteguillo will reveal the keys to The Three Worlds, the third volume of his trilogy about Julius Caesar.
The series of talks was opened by Carlos ZanĆ³n, who spoke about redemption, identity, and music in his dark narrative; then he spoke Leonard Padura, who reviewed his beginnings and his work method, with allusions to Hemingway and the saga of detective Mario Conde.
During the first day, dozens of attendees awaited the authors at the gates of the castle, in an atmosphere of expectation, complicity and celebration for the fifth anniversary of the meeting.
Gastronomy, debates and activities at the castle
The culinary side comes from the hand of Valladolid chefs Javier PeƱa y AnaĆ MelĆ©ndez, with proposals that engage in dialogue with the stories and authors, while the dissemination of information on health and nutrition is carried out by Mikel LĆ³pez Iturriaga (El Comidista) and the scientist JM Mulet.
In his speeches, LĆ³pez Iturriaga stressed the need to look at regional cuisine and gastronomic memory as part of our everyday culture, reclaiming traditional flavors and recipes that shouldn't be lost.
The program combines morning and afternoon meetings, with activities such as literary breakfasts with Mikel Santiago and Manuel Vilas and themed dinners with Santiago Posteguillo and the guest chefs, reinforcing the pairing that defines this edition.
Institutional support was made clear with the delivery of the Blacklladolid Special Award to Conrado Ćscar, in recognition of the continued support of the Provincial Council. Redondo and PĆ©rez Gellida insisted that the difficult thing is not starting, but consolidating a festival that bets on authors and their readers beyond fashions.
With all places sold out for the scheduled days, the organization is facilitating follow-up streaming from the official website and social networks, expanding the scope of an event that has established FuensaldaƱa as its natural setting and its hallmark.
The fifth edition maintains the pulse with high-level conversations, the presence of the Planeta and Nadal awards, and a culinary and informative offer that opens new perspectives between cooking and literature, reinforcing Blacklladolid's roots in the cultural calendar.
