The Torrent Histórica festival concluded its seventh edition last weekend, reaffirming itself as one of the most important cultural events in the municipality. Despite the change in dates, moving from November to June, the festival saw a notable public response, bringing together prominent historical fiction writers.
One of the highlights was the visit of writer Javier Cercas, who participated in a meeting at the Torrent City Hall. The author received the Honorary Consul award, the event's highest honor, and reflected on the relationship between history and literature, noting that 20th-century Spanish history constitutes "a dimension of the present" that continues to shape current reality.
Saturday's program maintained the festival's characteristic participatory format. Attendees enjoyed engaging experiences with authors such as Annie Lyons and Begoña Valero. Conversations also took place on significant architectural works with Coia Valls and Juan Francisco Ferrándiz, and on relevant Valencian historical figures with Juanjo Braulio and José Ángel Mañas.
The festival's director, Santiago Álvarez, positively assessed the edition, highlighting its success despite the calendar change and the recognition of Javier Cercas. "Our author encounters have generated extraordinary interest, and the reading clubs have once again served to involve the community," he stated.
The Councilor for Culture, Aitor Sánchez, emphasized the event's consolidation as a fundamental tool for fostering cultural participation. "Torrent Histórica has become much more than a literary festival. It is a meeting space that allows residents and visitors to engage with history and literature in an accessible, participatory, and enriching way," he affirmed.
Sánchez also highlighted the excellent reception of the date change and the council's commitment to the project's growth. "The public's response shows that Torrent Histórica has a loyal and established community. Our goal is to continue promoting initiatives that involve citizens in culture and make Torrent a cultural benchmark," he added.
With this seventh edition, Torrent Histórica reaffirms its role for historical literature enthusiasts, expanding its cultural impact through a program that combines dissemination, citizen participation, and the presence of prominent contemporary authors.
