In the context of literature in Spanish, the cultural and literary connection between Spanish-speaking countries is presented as a challenge and an opportunity
On the first day (Saturday, June 1) of the 57th Valladolid Fair, dedicated to Mexico as guest country, different authors such as Juan Pablo Villalobos, Alejandro Barrón, Daniela Tarazona and David Toscana participated in meetings and book signings. All of them have expressed the need to strengthen literary ties between Spanish-speaking countries.
Mexican writer Juan Pablo Villalobos, who has lived in Spain for the past 18 years, addressed the issue from two perspectives: literary and distributive. Villalobos pointed out that, despite sharing the same language, there are cultural barriers that make it difficult to read authors from other countries.
This lack of permeability is observed, according to Villalobos, especially in Spain, where readers show a tendency to consume national literature to a greater extent than in other Latin American countries. “It's something that must always be challenged,” he comments, advocating for a broader vision that recognizes the importance of foreign literatures within the same linguistic field.
