Since its founding in 2021, The Festival of Queer Literature in Spanish has sought to celebrate diverse voices, promote emerging talent in queer literature, and examine the connections between literature, social movements, and the arts.
London’s Festival of Queer Literature in Spanish provides a unique opportunity for readers, writers, critics, and anyone interested in LGBTQIA+ culture to connect and engage. The festival aims to promote Hispanic LGBTQIA+ studies in the UK, share the work of emerging queer writers from Spain and Latin America in English-speaking countries, and highlight and revitalize the contributions of queer writers from the recent past. This focus is intended to honour literary pioneers and encourage intergenerational dialogue among writers and audiences.
This year’s festival lineup features a diverse group of writers and poets, including Pol Guasch, Sara Torres, Ángelo Néstore, Eddi Circa, and Fernando López Rodríguez. Academic researchers such as Anna Moya, Álvaro González Montero, Lucía Gloria Vázquez Rodríguez, and Javier Fernández Galeano will also present their work in the field of queer studies.
In addition, audiovisual artist Blanca Torres will presnt her documentary Marisol, llámame Pepa, and Patricia Langa, will present her film Queerolé!. They will showcase their work in London for the first time. Experts like Rory Williamson and Lauren J. Joseph will celebrate the legacy of Pedro Lemebel, while Jesús Alcaide will revisit the influential work of Pepe Espaliú.
Furthermore, the podcasts Niños Gratis and Las Chicas del Volcán will release exclusive episodes related to the festival, available for streaming during the festival week until January 7th 2025.
The festival’s program is designed to highlight the voices of emerging queer poets who write in Spanish. It aims to connect UK audiences with the latest queer literature in Spanish and Catalan, along with its English translations. Additionally, the festival seeks to establish relationships with English-language publishers to promote the future translation of Spanish and Catalan queer texts into English. This initiative is committed to honouring sexual, ideological, and gender diversity.
Festival of Queer Literature in Spanish takes place across London, 20 – 25 November 2024.
