cocktail that Javier de las MuelasIt is rum-based and refreshing, specializing in giving a waterless drink and founder of the Dry Martini empire created in honor of April. On Friday afternoon, this beverage accompanied the launch of El Periódico de España’s book supplement, and also served to unite relationships, encourage sharing, and assist those gathered on the terrace of the Hotel Gran Melia Fenix.
April was born on April 21, the eve of International Book Day, and carries the following statement of intent to her name: “It will be April all year”. So: Why celebrate the books in the fourth month of the year if we can do it during the 12 that the calendar has? Her breakthrough in the publishing industry (like a good cocktail) revived the book chain: writers, editors, translators, journalists, illustrators, printers… The fair, where thousands of readers are making a pilgrimage these days, April urged them to mix and shaking the cultural world.
Juan Cruz, subordinate to the presidency of Prensa Ibérica, and alex salmon, the additional director, acted as the host. Shortly after eight in the evening, with sun and heat still enveloping the city, Gemma Robles, director of El Periódico de España, and Albert Sáez, executive of El Periódico de Catalunya, the two newspapers whose pages carry the entrails into April. They were soon joined by Javier Moll, president and vice president of the Prensa Ibérica group, and Arantza Sarasola and the rest of their families.
“Unity and friendship”
When the cocktails prepared for the event started to be served ( good newsnon-alcoholic and based on tropical fruits), came river columnJosé Saramago, widow of Nobel laureate José Saramago, who, with a fan in hand, began to talk about the nascent election campaign in Andalusia, Manuel HidalgoDirector of El Cultural. “There is no competition here. On the contrary: unity and friendship. Because with the total April we publish more in favor of books and culture in general, and it always benefits everyone”, said also the author of the erotic novel the perfect sinner.
Sunglasses and brightly colored clothing dominated the relaxed atmosphere. They were all dressed but not formal, so today was Friday. And of course without masks because… Pandemic? What a pandemic! The groups that formed instantly, tasting appetizers like crystal bread with Iberian ham, potato omelette, doughnuts, shrimp and ham croquettes, octopus skewers and mini Kobe burgers, began by asking each other what was going on at the Fair, and a string of gossip that had piled up before a covid.
After a busy working day, Martha Rivera de la CruzEva Orúe, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Community of Madrid and the first woman to run the Madrid Book Fair, attended the party. He did the same but later writes Julia Navarro: “Oh, I’ve been signing nonstop since half past five in the afternoon!” He commented on anyone who wanted to listen to him. Basque writer also came from the stands set up in Retiro Park Bernardo AtxagaAna Gavín, editorial relations manager of Grupo Planeta, Gerardo Marín, responsible for relations with the media and Alfaguara writers, and Marta Robles, journalist and writer.
The editor, who caught the attention of most of those present, William Quijas He was referring to the independent publisher Almadía, which had emerged in Oaxaca, southeastern Mexico, nearly two decades ago and had just landed in Spain. “We chose to enter the Spanish market. Appearance of plantsBy Edmundo Paz Soldán from Bolivian and here we hope to take root and create a large and diverse catalog,” said Quijas, who came with his wife. Vania ResendizDirector of the Oaxaca International Book Fair.
Before chatting between smiles, the humorous duo Juan Luis Cano, former member of Gomaespuma, writer and former director of El Mundo David Jiménez, former director of the Princess of Girona Foundation Mónica Margarit, editors of Círculo de Tiza Eva Serrano and Plaza&Janés’ from David Trías and collaborator of EL PERIÓDICO DE ESPAÑA, journalist Elena Pita.
There were no conversations or other formalities. It was about celebrating the books, toasting with a refreshing caramel-coloured rum cocktail, and making an official announcement: “It’s going to be April all year.”