The official presentation was attended by prominent figures such as Mayor Marino Aguilera; the Councilor for Culture, Juan Manuel Marchal; the director of the Municipal Library, Alicia Arenas; and historian Francisco Sánchez Montes, who will be honored at the IV Carolus Congress. Mayor Marino Aguilera emphasized the consolidation of the Book Week as a cultural pillar in Alcalá la Real, reinforcing its position as a provincial reference, especially through the Carmen Juan Lovera Municipal Library.
“"The Book Week is already a classic in Alcalá la Real's cultural program."
The program will include the active participation of local bookstores, which will display their new titles in the Paseo de los Álamos throughout the week. Special emphasis will be placed on local talent and children's literature, aiming to inspire new readers. A notable example is Alonso Arjona, only 14 years old, who will present his first novel, El destino de los Aridane: a sangre y fuego, on Sunday, April 19.
Children's activities will take center stage with theatrical visits, workshops from the Margarita Toral reading club, storytelling sessions, and the innovative «Book seeks reader» initiative, which invites participants to discover surprise titles. On April 23, Book Day, Radio Alcalá will broadcast live the magazine El balcón de Alcalá from the Municipal Library, transforming it into a radio studio for a day.
As a grand finale, on April 24 and 25, the IV Carolus Congress will be held, dedicated this year to «The Emperor's House and Family», commemorating the fifth centenary of Charles V's marriage. The congress will pay tribute to the professor of Modern History at the University of Granada, Francisco Sánchez Montes, a renowned specialist in the figure of the emperor.
“"To Alcalá, I cannot say no. This city can amply display its memory, its past, its heritage, and something unique: its connection to a Carolingian era. 1526 signifies a reference: the wedding of Charles V, with a stop in Alcalá."
The director of the Municipal Library, Alicia Arenas, extended an invitation to citizens and visitors to actively participate in the program, reminding them that the library offers not only physical loans but also access to digital content through the eBiblio and eFilm platforms.
