León's cultural agenda comes alive with the arrival of June, notably with a series of events at the iconic Librería Pastor bookstore. This space will become the epicenter of contemporary narrative with the visit of two authors which will bring very different proposals but united by their link with history.
The program of events begins with a suspenseful and historically rigorous offering, followed by a comprehensive portrait of one of the most complex figures of medieval Europe. Both events promise to be captivating. to attract lovers of literature and those who enjoy a good literary stroll through the city streets, similar to the book clubs in Spain.
The mystery of 'Statues in the Snow'
On Thursday, June 4th, at 19:00 PM, Carlos Barros will present his thriller titled 'Statues in the Snow'. This work, published by Marciano Sonoro, proposes a disturbing police plot where the city of León is not just the backdrop, but a key element of the story. The author will be joined by Jesús Palmero, the book's editor, to discuss the details of this tale.
The plot unfolds in a setting where past and present intersect through a macabre ritual. The protagonists, the experienced Inspector Ferreira and the determined Sub-Inspector Acosta, must solve a diabolical enigma which leaves behind innocent victims and many unanswered questions, evoking the literary detective mysteries.
For those who enjoy local scenery, the novel is a veritable map of the area, as it includes emblematic places such as León Cathedral, San Isidoro, Casa Botines, Plaza del Grano, the San Marcos bridge, and even more peripheral spaces like Valdorria or Las Médulas.
As for the author, Carlos Barros Vidaurre, born in Valencia in 1982, is a Telecommunications Engineer and has developed his career in software consulting before to settle in LeónHer literary career began in 2017 and has focused mainly on the historical genre, demonstrating a great passion for documentary research.
Female power in 'Doña Urraca'
A few days later, on Saturday, June 6th at noon, it will be Alfonso Solís's turn. The writer will meet on the first floor of the bookstore to present 'Doña Urraca. Empress of Hispania', a novel that joins a conference cycle dedicated to this important historical figure.
The story takes us to the 12th century, when Urraca, after the death of her father Alfonso VI, becomes the first woman to to rule a kingdom alone in Europe. The work details the empress's constant struggle against an ambitious nobility, a Church full of intrigues, and the conflictive relationship with her husband, Alfonso I of Aragon.
Alfonso Solís, an expert in historical fiction and author of titles such as 'Viking' or the 'Pedro I of Castile' trilogy, is a psychologist by training but self-taught writerHis style is characterized by a brisk narrative pace and absolute respect for historical facts, bringing complex characters to life.
This latest installment is a portrait of the resilience and will of a woman who had to to be forged in iron to survive in a world dominated by men, addressing such profound themes as memory and the price of power.
Librería Pastor is thus consolidating its position as a fundamental meeting point for the culture of León, offering a program that balances contemporary suspense with the reconstruction of the medieval past through the voice of two established authors.
