The Catalan Institution of Letters organised a tribute to Ferran Torrent, recognising his significant contributions to literature on the occasion of his 75th birthday. During the event, the Catalan Minister of Culture praised Torrent as one of the prominent voices in contemporary Catalan literature, highlighting his ability to portray Valencian society and enhance understanding of the shared cultural landscape.
“With this tribute, we aim to honour his work, which is deeply committed to the language and has transcended borders and generations, becoming part of the shared literary heritage of Catalan-speaking territories,” the minister stated.
The event sought to celebrate Torrent's literary achievements and his connection to the political and cultural realities of Valencia. Torrent's prolific and diverse body of work spans genres from crime novels to social portraits, resonating with multiple generations of readers. Xavier Aliaga, during his speech, remarked, “Ferran Torrent approached Valencia from the margins, exploring the depths of life and drawing literary material from environments that most writers only hear about.”
The tribute featured a performance by Neandertal Producciones, directed by Martí Sancliment, with contributions from saxophonist Iscle Datzira, choreographer Pere Seda, and soprano Mireia Tarragó. This artistic presentation aimed to convey the atmospheres and themes present in Torrent's work.
Film screening and discussion
On the same day, the Filmoteca de Catalunya will screen the film Gracias por la propina, released in 1997 and directed by Francesc Bellmunt, which is based on Torrent's novel of the same name. Following the screening, Bellmunt and Torrent will engage in a conversation moderated by Eduard Escoffet, director of the Catalan Institution of Letters, with Pablo Laparra, director of the Filmoteca de Catalunya, also in attendance.
About Ferran Torrent
Ferran Torrent was born in Sedaví, Valencia, in 1951. After working in various jobs and pursuing journalism, he began his literary career in the early 1980s. His first notable work, No emprenyeu el comissari, published in 1984, marked the beginning of a celebrated phase in his career, particularly within the crime genre, featuring characters such as journalist Héctor Barrera and detective Butxana.
Throughout his career, Torrent has explored various genres including novels, theatre, screenwriting, and journalism, publishing notable works such as Gracias por la propina, Sociedad limitada, Bulevar de los Franceses, Un almuerzo un día cualquiera, Individuos como nosotros, Poder contarlo, and Memorias de mí mismo. His works have been translated into several languages and have garnered numerous accolades, including the Sant Jordi Prize for novels and the Joan Crexells Prize. In recent years, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tiana Negra festival. Last month, the Columna publishing house released his biography Ferran Torrent. Entre los libros y la vida by Salvador Ortells, which revisits the writer's career, obsessions, and craft.
