The 19th romantic studies week will be held from 31 October to 8 November, with a programme centred around All Saints' Day, a significant theme in José Zorrilla's renowned play, Don Juan Tenorio. The event will kick off with a look at the Day of the Dead, a Mexican tradition that combines two Catholic celebrations – All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day – along with indigenous Central American customs.
On Saturday, 31 October, Casa de Zorrilla will host a makeup workshop focused on the colourful catrinas, aimed at children aged 6 to 11. The free workshop, which requires prior registration at Casa de Zorrilla, will have two sessions at 17:30 and 18:15. This will be followed by a Day of the Dead altar presentation at 19:15, and a concert of boleros by Patricia Corral at 19:30, concluding with a traditional rendition of La llorona, during which attendees can sample the typical 'pan de muertos'.
This inaugural day highlights José Zorrilla's close ties to Mexico, where he spent over ten years. He maintained a friendship with Emperor Maximilian I, who became his patron, and was appointed director of the National Theatre. The influence of Zorrilla's work, particularly Don Juan Tenorio, continues to resonate in Mexico, especially during this time of year when performing the play on the Day of the Dead is a widespread custom.
The romantic studies week will continue with three lectures focusing on José Zorrilla and other 19th-century authors. On Tuesday, 3 November, Professor Pedro Ojeda from the University of Burgos will discuss 'Publishers, booksellers, and copyright protection in José Zorrilla'. This will be followed on Thursday, 5 November, by a talk titled 'Forgotten authors of the 19th century: how to edit rare works', presented by editor Montse Ruiz. Finally, on Friday, 6 November, José Luis González Subías, a professor of language and literature, writer, and researcher, will address 'Recovering our 19th-century theatrical classics for the stage'.
These lectures will take place in the Sala Cossío – Casa Revilla at 19:30, with free entry until capacity is reached, and will also be available to stream online. The romantic studies week will conclude with a traditional event: a performance of scenes from the cemetery of Don Juan Tenorio. On Friday, 6 November, at 21:00, the romantic garden of Casa de Zorrilla will transform into the most famous graveyard in Spanish literature, thanks to the acting group Asociación Amigos del Teatro de Valladolid, which will revive the captivating aura of this quintessential romantic drama. Entry is free until capacity is reached (200 people), with priority given to those attending the 19:30 lecture.
The programme is organised by Casa de Zorrilla and the Valladolid Municipal Culture Foundation's 'Valladolid Letraherido' initiative, coordinated by Professor Pedro Ojeda Escudero, a specialist in Romanticism and 19th-century Spanish literature. It also receives support from the Association of Mexicans in Castilla y León and the Asociación Amigos del Teatro de Valladolid.
