PVLF 2025

Culture and History Collide: Ibero-American Literature in Istanbul

Discover the rich history and diverse voices of Ibero-American literature at the 'Encounter of Ibero-American Literature' in Istanbul.
on Oct 19, 2023

Realistic magic. Historical foundations. Cultural variety. Reality is harsh.

These are unquestionably among the four most important descriptors of the Ibero-American literary landscape. Istanbul staged possibly the most major and comprehensive cultural event ever held in the Spanish language to commemorate this magnificent heritage. The "Encounter of Ibero-American Literature" event, organized in partnership with the Spanish Embassy in Turkey and the Istanbul Cervantes Institute, gave countries within the Spanish language umbrella the opportunity to tell their own experiences in their own voices and heritage.

One of the primary reasons for conducting this event in Istanbul was the increasing translation of Spanish literary masterpieces into Turkish, as readers instantly welcomed these works. This event also demonstrated how this culture is gaining popularity in Turkey on a daily basis. Furthermore, its October 12 closing date was a tribute to the celebration of Hispanic Day and brought together 15 notable writers from the region.

Along with these writers, esteemed ambassadors serving in Türkiye, such as El Salvador's Ambassador Hector Jaime, Chile's Ambassador Rodrigo Arcos, Mexico's Ambassador Jose Luis Martinez y Hernandez, Colombia's Ambassador Julio Anibal Riano Velandia, and Panama's Ambassador Mariela Sagel, highlighted the cultural richness of the Spanish-speaking community in Türkiye.

Meanwhile, I had the opportunity to speak with Santiago Herrero Amigo, the head of Cultural and Scientific Relations at the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID), about the relevance of Istanbul as a vital hub for this event.

"Events like these are critical because they allow writers to travel, present their novels, and promote the Spanish language." The engagement with Latin American countries is what makes this event absolutely exceptional. We share a common language, and together expanding it, as is occurring here, is enormously important.

This event brings together writers from Spain and Latin America. Latin American countries, in their early phases, provide a glimpse of what we have. If there are more congresses like this, they may include not only the Spanish or Latin American audiences, but also Turks who speak or are studying Spanish," he said.

"The choice of Istanbul as the event location is critical because Turkey is showing increasing interest in the Spanish language." Events like this, which promote the language, are critical in introducing writers and the Spanish language to Turkish people who want to learn Spanish," he added.

Discussions at the conference included Panamanian writer Juan David Morgan, who explored Panama's history in his literary works, Vanessa Monfort, who focused on the impostor syndrome in literature, Ecuadorian writer Natalia Garca Freire, who delved into the Cordillera, and Cuban author Leonardo Padura, who depicted Havana and Mario Conde. Santiago Roncagliolo of Peru investigated Peruvian literature in the post-Mario Vargas Llosa setting, while Javier Moro of Spain investigated the meaning of travel literature in an increasingly homogenized world.

Highlighted Writers

Through her book, Barcelona-born Vanessa Montfort, a Spanish writer and playwright known for her engaging storytelling and literary contributions, explored the life of Maria de la O Lejarraga, also known as Mara Martinez Sierra, a historical and literary figure in twentieth-century Spain. Montfort walked the audience through major moments in Lejarraga's life, as well as her relationships with notable personalities such as Juan Ramon Jimenez, Manuel de Falla, Mara Guerrero, and others.

Her session focused on Maria Martinez Sierra's contribution to works signed by her husband, Gregorio Martinez Sierra, within the context of impostor syndrome, with the goal of finding the reality behind the concealed literary character.

On the other hand, Mario Levi, a renowned Turkish author of Sephardic Jewish descent, presented his storytelling and profound insights into the intricacies of identity and cultural heritage, chatting about Türkiye, Sephardic heritage, and Spain via historical and literary reminiscences.

Levi's novels and essays shed light on the often missed facets of Istanbul's rich cultural scene, making him a beloved literary voice.

Leonardo Padura Fuentes, often known as Leonardo Padura, is a well-known Cuban novelist and journalist who shared insights and investigations of contemporary Cuban society. He is best known for his detective books featuring the disillusioned investigator Mario Conde. His works, which are typically classified as crime fiction, dive extensively into Cuba's socio-political terrain, providing readers with a nuanced view on the country's history, culture, and people.

Hector Abad Faciolince, a well-known Colombian author, essayist, and journalist known for his literary accomplishments and social activity, attended the colloquium. The Medellin-born author comes from a family steeped in social and political issues. His father, Hector Abad Gomez, was a well-known human rights activist and physician whose tragic assassination in 1987 had a profound impact on Abad's understanding of social justice and human rights.

Abad's writing is distinguished by its genuine empathy, sharp insights of human nature, and significant concern for Colombia's sociopolitical context. He is well-known for his ability to weave personal experiences into larger societal themes, resulting in compelling and thought-provoking literary masterpieces.