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“Culture is not something empty, it is not something secondary, it is essential. Because culture is an encounter, it is always an encounter. Books are not manuals of conduct, but they are mirrors, they are always mirrors in which we see the environment in which we are, we see what we are and what we want to be ”. They are words of the writer María Oruña, in charge of inaugurating the XXII Book Fair yesterday in Benavente, which has once again been held in person, thanks to the commitment of the Department of Culture of the Benavente City Council.
His speech was brief and intense and he dazzled those present with his words referring to culture in general and books in particular. The author of “What the tide hides”, “Hidden port” or “The forest of the four winds”, explained to the audience, in the walks of La Mota that “We are all linked by stories and that is why books are so important. We always look for connections that used to unite us around the fire, with our grandparents, who told us you come from here or there. I didn’t know the size of books until I became a professional writer ”. And he added that “now I have learned things that I did not know. For example, I was a lawyer, until “Puerto Escondido” was published, I thought that since I was not involved in the publishing world I did not have to worry about anything, but journalists and people who were interested in what I could say began to call me. I received emails from different parts of the world and they told me how my story had inspired them, or how I had accompanied them ”.
After taking a tour of his highly successful literary career, he noted that “There is always something different in every story. But all these stories unite us because in all of them there is something, an emotion, that we have all felt. There is an illusion, a sadness or a joy. This is the magic of books. We can enter other people’s thoughts and get carried away. No costumes. Masks are not necessary. May we always feel accompanied by books ”.
At the opening ceremony, a Board representative who thanked the Benavente City Council and all those who have collaborated in the celebration of this fair “for all the effort made. I hope we can continue to collaborate. That you enjoy the fair, the writers and booksellers and that you participate in buying books ”.
For its part, Acting Mayor Sandra Veleda, he addressed the audience and explained that “from the Department of Culture the commitment to safe culture has been clear to bring culture to the streets. It is fundamental to our lives. This year there are more booksellers at this fair. That you enjoy these days, the environment and the reading, fundamental and necessary to continue growing ”.
The inauguration took place after the inauguration of the exhibition that Ledo del Pozo exhibits at Casa Solita “From Munich to Benavente. The Castle in 3D ”.
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