Magallanes-Elcano…. And they traveled the world, a landmark moment in world history and the early chapter of globalization, serves as the title for a conference led by philologist and author Jose Enrique Gil-Delgado. The event takes place at the Alicante College of Physicians midweek at 6:30 PM.
Born in Madrid in 1944, Gil-Delgado has written extensively, with two of his recent novels earning recognition from the Television Academy and drawing attention to the era of global exploration. The narratives span the voyage through the Strait of Magellan and the broader voyage of Elcano as he circumnavigated the globe. The works have earned approval from the National Commission commemorating the centennial of global circumnavigation, and the author received the Navy Cross of Merit from the Chief of the Defense Staff, Admiral Teodoro Esteban López-Calderón, for his contribution to the literary and historical understanding of these maritime feats.
In the talk, the focus will be on Elcano and the legacy of the Convent of Santa Faz. The sailor’s will, published on July 26, 1526, revealed a philanthropic wish: a pilgrimage to Alicante, to honor the temple, accompanied by a modest bequest of 24 ducats. This narrative thread connects the explorer’s personal commitments with the broader historical footprint of his journeys.
two books
The first volume reimagines the Magellan voyage and introduces a German cosmographer, Martin Behaim, who, on his deathbed, supposedly shares a prophecy with the Portuguese navigator: a route that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans so sails can westward reach the Spice Islands. Magellan seeks royal backing from Portugal, but is denied. He then crosses to Spain, where King-Emperor Charles provides support and resources for the expedition, a voyage later chronicled in detail by Antonio de Pigafetta, the expedition’s official historian.
The second novel follows Magellan and Elcano at the meeting point of the Atlantic and Pacific, a vast, seemingly endless expanse. They encounter extraordinary landscapes, encounter cultures previously unknown to them, and marvel at the fauna and flora of far-off shores that linger in the imagination.
Gil-Delgado has served as a consultant for BBC English in Spain and contributed to the English-language broadcast of a program titled follow me. He has also participated in the development of an interactive version through FUNDESCO, the Telephone Company Foundation, showcasing how historical narratives can be brought to life through multimedia formats.
The speaker has delivered seminars and lectures at universities and across numerous prestigious institutes, including Cervantes Institutes in Cambridge, London, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Paris, Madrid, New York, Buenos Aires, Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, Las Palmas, and also in London, Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Tel Aviv. The audience will find a thoughtful blend of literary analysis, historical context, and accessible storytelling that enriches understanding of the long arc of global exploration.