Segovia 2014

Hubertus von Hohenlohe, known as a ‘sportsman, globetrotter and bon vivant’, he is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative career spans photography, design, performance and media. Born into the European aristocracy and educated in philosophy and economics, he has forged a career defined by curiosity and irreverence. A Leica ambassador and permanent traveller, his photographs often blur the line between self and scene, celebrity and anonymity, turning moments into reflections of the viewer's own gaze. His work has been exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Belvedere Museum (Vienna), the Hungarian National Museum, the Fundación Cajasol (Seville), Fundación Unicaja (Málaga) and the Chiostro del Bramante (Rome), among others.

Hubertus will discuss his work with Sema D’Acosta, independent curator, art critic, teacher and researcher, one of Spain's foremost specialists in photography.

Event in Spanish

Gothic horror, or ‘weird fiction’ with a twist, some punk thrown in, and laced with episodes from the history of her native Argentina, give us the works of renowned writer and journalist Mariana Enríquez, know as the Princess of Terror. Her novels also offer social commentary on issues such as the role of women, violence, and the never-fully-told story of her country’s dictatorship. In 2019, she won Anagrama’s Herralde Prize with her novel Nuestra parte de noche (Our Share of Night). In 2022, she was nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the horror category for The Dangers of Smoking in Bed, going on to receive the 2024 José Donoso Ibero-American Literature Prize.

Enríquez will discuss her work and her many influences with Miquel Molina, writer and Deputy Editor of La Vanguardia.

There will be a book signing after the event

Event in Spanish

Acclaimed British philosopher Anthony C. Grayling will discuss his latest book, Discriminations: Making Peace in the Culture Wars. In this timely and provocative work, British philosopher Grayling, author of more than 30 books and founder of the New College of the Humanities, explores the history and consequences of cancel culture, drawing connections between ancient ostracism and modern political and social polarisation. He argues that many so-called cultural conflicts do not arise from conflicting rights, but from the clash between vested interests and fundamental freedoms.

At the end of the event, the author will sign copies of his books

Event in English with simultaneous translation into Spanish

A new edition of Own and Others, a series of read-aloud readings now in its 17th year. The Torreón de Lozoya is one of the most iconic buildings in the city — a fortified tower-house, a type that was very common in Segovia between the 13th and 15th centuries. It is a palatial complex with two towers, a courtyard, and a garden with a fortified gallery. Carlos Aganzo, Guillermo de'Medici, Marian Hens, Carlos Hernández-Lahoz, Fernando R. La Fuente, Momtaza Mehri, Ainhoa Sánchez, Javier Velaza, Cristina Ward and Beltrán Gambier will read their own texts or those of their favourite poets.

José Félix Valdivieso, poet and self-confessed lover of languages and language, will be joining the readings as master of ceremonies.

Event with readings in Spanish, Dutch and English

Rob Riemen (Netherlands) is an essayist, philosopher and director of the Nexus Institute, through which he aims to generate spaces for debate and keep alive the principles of European humanism. He is the author of books such as Nobility of Spirit and The Art of Being Human. He believes that Europe is at a complex crossroads. One that has to do with the loss of memory of the principles of duty, freedom, justice and even love for others. There are no magic formulas, but Riemen appeals to the 'nobility of spirit' to return to the democratic ideal; and he proposes to do so through philosophers —both classical and contemporary— and leading intellectuals such as Thomas Mann and Albert Camus.

He will talk about all this with Jesús García Calero, director of ABC Cultural. He specialises in heritage information and dissemination.

The event will be presented by Hannah Schmidt, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Spain.

At the end of the event, the author will sign copies of his books

Event in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish

What happens when we see ourselves as others see us? How does the place we are in influence the content of our writing and the way we write? What challenges do authors face when writing about a city, a country or in a language that is not their own? To discuss these questions, we will take as our starting point the literary map offered by the exhibition Lost & Found, organised by University College London, which explores London through the eyes of European writers, and The Curious Impertinents, the new book by William Chislett, about how two centuries of travel writing by British authors have shaped the image of Spain abroad.

He will be joined by Marta Rebón, writer and literary translator who has won awards for her versions of Vasili Grossman's Life and Fate and Georgy Vladimov's The Faithful Ruslan. Uta Staiger, who has co-organised Lost & Found. A European Literary Map of London; and Debbi Christophers, Cultural Attache at the British Embassy, Madrid, who will be moderating the event.

Event in Spanish

The Symphony Orchestra and Big Band of the British School of Madrid are made up of students, Music21 programme teachers, alumni, and parents from the School who come together to share their passion for making music as an ensemble. Their repertoire ranges from classical works to contemporary and popular music, including film scores and jazz.

The British School of Madrid is firmly committed to musical development—not only for the artistic achievements it fosters, but also for the values cultivated through the shared challenges of teamwork: loyalty, dedication, flexibility, resilience, and care for others.

Paul Preston is a prominent British historian whose primary work focuses on contemporary Spanish history, particularly the Second Republic and the Civil War. He has written numerous books on this subject, which have achieved high sales, although many of them have been controversial and criticized by other authors. A strong advocate for Europe, he has always lamented the limited support the Spanish Republic received from Western democracies during the Civil War. His last work is The Perfidious Albion: The Contradictory Role of Britain in the Spanish Civil War.

He will discuss his work, as well as the past and present of Europe and Spain, with María José Ferrari, Professor and Director of the Chair of Hispanic Cultures at IE University.

At the end of the event, the author will sign copies of his books

Event in Spanish

The opinion column has been the most characteristic genre of Spanish journalism, with a strong creative imprint and a long history with its own chapter in the history of literature, from Larra to Gistau, passing through Cavia, Camba, Pla, Ruano, Alcántara and Umbral. With the fragmentation of the digital ecosystem, the number of columnists has multiplied and their impact has diminished. They are barely mentioned in public conversation beyond morning press reviews on the radio. The genre retains a great reputation... but what about readers? Let's talk about this uncomfortable paradox.

Journalist and writer Teodoro León Gross will talk to some leading journalists, whose names will be revealed shortly.

Event in Spanish

What are the limits of democratic power and its weaknesses when faced with other forms of power that operate outside the bounds of legality? The Western world is immersed in deep uncertainty, caused in part by the errors of its own leaders—as in the case of Latin America—and in part by geopolitical challenges from countries such as Russia and China. These tensions are contributing to a rise in violence and populism, the latter often fuelled by the discontent of the most disadvantaged social classes.

These topics will be explored in conversation by Javier Moreno and Andrea Rizzi. Moreno has recently published ¿Quién manda aquí? (Who’s in Charge Here?), a reflection on powerlessness in the face of growing violence in Latin America, where he interviews seven former presidents to understand why so many of their promises went unfulfilled and why legitimate power is losing ground. Andrea Rizzi is a Global Affairs correspondent and columnist for El País. He recently published La era de la revancha (The Age of Revenge), an analysis of the disruption facing Western structures and the dangers posed by challenges that fall outside democratic and legal frameworks.

The conversation will be moderated by Laura Ventura, PhD in Hispanic Philology and professor of Literature at Carlos III University in Madrid. She is also a contributor to La Nación (Argentina) and the Spanish digital outlet The Objective.

The authors will sign copies of their books at the end of the event

Event in Spanish

Writer Carmen Posadas claims to have seen it all. With a rich literary trajectory spanning genres and themes, her stories often revolve around dazzling and dramatic pasts, far-off travels, and grounded characters who confront reality. Her latest novel, misterioso caso del impostor del Titanic (The Mysterious Case of the Titanic Impostor), takes inspiration from a real-life figure —Emilia Pardo Bazán— to craft an unexpected journey through New York and Cuba in the days following the sinking of the Titanic.

Posadas will speak with Ana Gavín, Director of Editorial Relations at Grupo Planeta.

At the end of the event, the author will sign copies of her books

Event in Spanish

A thoughtful dialogue between two seasoned writers on our environment, the dramatic changes taking place, in Europe in particular, and what the future holds, if indeed anything can be predicted. Canary Islander Juan Cruz, man of the periphery, where different cultures converge, and Manuel Rivas, a Galician who embraces his homeland in order to better understand others, will discuss how literature can confront and allay all this uncertainty.

Cruz has just published Secreto y pasión de la literatura, a "luminous and passionate" portrait of great contemporary authors such as Mario Vargas Llosa, Gabriel García-Márquez, Jorge Semprún and Jorge Luis Borges.

There will be a book signing after the event.

Event in Spanish

For decades, the transatlantic relationship has been a cornerstone of Western stability —an alliance forged in shared values and strategic interests. Yet, recently, the ties that once bound Europe and the United States have begun to fray. Diverging political priorities, cultural misunderstandings, and shifts in global power have cast doubt on the strength —and future— of this historic partnership.

Is the Atlantic no longer a shared horizon, but a widening gulf? Are Europe and the US still speaking the same language? Or has a quiet separation already taken place?

This FT Weekend Debate brings together distinguished voices from both sides of the Atlantic to explore what has changed —and what may yet be salvaged. In conversation with Frederick Studemann, Literary Editor of the Financial Times, they will examine whether the transatlantic friendship is undergoing a necessary evolution or an irreversible divorce.

Event in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish

Rubens Paiva, a Brazilian congressman and staunch opponent of his country's dictatorship, was arrested and disappeared in 1971. Only 40 years later, thanks to the efforts of his wife, Eunice, was it confirmed that he had been tortured and murdered by military forces.

Decades later, his son, the writer, playwright and journalist Marcelo Rubens Paiva, captured this experience in Ainda Estou Aqui ('I'm Still Here'), a memoir that intertwines the Paiva family history after the father's disappearance with Brazilian politics in the last decades of the 20th century. The work was adapted for the cinema by director Walter Salles Jr. and, in 2025, the film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Paiva will talk with Portuguese actress, director and singer Maria de Medeiros, whose artistic career is defined by a deep commitment to historical memory and human rights. Moderated by Iôna de Macêdo, Vice Dean of IE University and expert in communication, audiovisual production and creative talent development. The event will be introduced by Catalina Tejero, Dean of IE School of Humanities.

Event in Portuguese with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish

From the poetic roots of his latest book, Hueso en astilla, Alfonso Alegre Heitzmann talks to Félix Losada Vieira about writing as a form of attention, the word as threshold, silence as origin. Poetry as a place of presence: a way of being in the world that does not seek to represent, but to reveal. A conversation that crosses the arts, mysticism and the poetic memory of an author who has known how to listen to the world from its deepest breath.

At the end of the event, the author will sign copies of his books.

Event in Spanish

The world of art and antiques —its creative process, the interest of collectors, and the unpredictable journeys of artworks— forms a kaleidoscopic universe full of possibilities, though not without risk. At its center stands the figure of the art dealer, capable of elevating forgotten pieces and, above all, sharing a passion for objects that carry fragments of our past.

Portuguese dealer Mário Roque has been doing exactly that for years. He left a career in cardiology to dedicate himself to antiques, founding São Roque Antiguidades e Galeria de Arte, a gallery with a strong focus on Portuguese art from the Age of Discoveries. Roque is a regular at major international events and collaborates with numerous museums and institutions, loaning works for both national and international exhibitions. Roque’s expertise has inspired a new generation of young art dealers from around the world, turning him into a reference point and mentor in the field.

He will be joined by Lorenzo de’ Medici, a descendant of the iconic Medici family —one of the most renowned names in European collecting, from the Renaissance to the present day.

Event in french with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish

In just a few years, the world’s major cities have become real states, with increasingly difficult challenges to resolve, from mobility and environmental sustainability to water issues and the confrontation between great wealth and great poverty. This process has its collateral effects in countries like Spain, where depopulation is pushing many territories, far from the central almonds of large cities, to the brink of human extinction. A dialectic whose answers are only held by the large conurbations, where a future is drawn in which humanism and humanity itself are not easily preserved.

Ángel Cárdenas, manager of Urban Development, Water, and Creative Economies at the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), and one of the leading experts on urban development, water, and creative economies, will have a conversation with writer and journalist Carlos Aganzo about the uncertainties of the present and the great challenges of the future.

Event in Spanish

For centuries, traditional diplomacy has designed international relations by seeking consensus or defusing conflicts. However, in such turbulent times, new ways emerge, such as soft policy (soft power), which chooses culture as an instrument to influence with solid arguments that generate empathy between people and their societies. This will be the subject of a dialogue between Arancha González Laya and Inmaculada Ballesteros.

González Laya is Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) at Sciences Po. She was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain (2020-2021). She was previously under-secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) from 2013 to 2019.

Inmaculada Ballesteros is an expert in cultural policy, institutional relations and digital transition. She advises national and international organisations and is director of Programming at Acción Cultural Española (AC/E), a key player in Spain's cultural development and promotion around the world.

Carlos del Amor is arguably the most recognizable face of cultural journalism in Spain. His reports, carefully balanced between passion and the pursuit of the perfect headline, hit the mark with remarkable precision, consistently capturing the viewer's attention. A joyful rara avis, perhaps — a true dabbler in life — he will engage in conversation with Pedro Zuazua to reflect on their work, influences, and upcoming projects.

Del Amor’s reputation for journalistic excellence is backed by international recognition, including awards for his documentary Revealing Dalí. He made his literary debut in 2013 with the short story collection Life, Sometimes (La vida a veces) and this year he has published Una dama desconocida, a detective-style tale about a mysterious woman supposedly painted by Velázquez.

At the end of the event, the author will sign copies of his books

Event in Spanish

What can Dante teach us about leadership and the human condition in the 21st century? This conversation features British philosopher A.C. Grayling, founder of the New College of the Humanities and author of over 30 books on ethics and reason; Santiago Iñiguez, president of IE University and a leading global voice in higher education and author of Dante in the Workplace; and Fabio Corsico, an Italian essayist and executive known for his work at the intersection of power, culture, and economics.

From philosophical ethics to corporate leadership and strategic decision-making, the speakers will explore the enduring relevance of Dante’s thought in today’s world. Moderated by Anna Bosch, a leading international journalist at TVE and former correspondent in London and Washington.

At the end of the event, the author will sign copies of his books

Event in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish