The city of Guadalajara has celebrated its first institutional Day of Women Writers, an event aimed at acknowledging the contributions of women to literature and their role in shaping cultural heritage. The ceremony took place at the Sala Tragaluz, presided over by Mayor Ana Guarinos.
Under the theme "The word that remains", the event featured institutional speeches, public readings from renowned female authors, and musical performances. Mayor Guarinos emphasised the significance of literature as a profound expression of human freedom, highlighting the challenges women have faced throughout history to pursue their literary aspirations.
“Celebrating the Day of Women Writers means recognising a contribution that has remained in the background for too long and asserting the rightful place of many women who have enriched our cultural heritage,”
The mayor also praised Guadalajara's cultural and literary significance, referring to the city as the "City of Stories" and noting its active promotion of reading. She acknowledged two notable members of the Royal Spanish Academy, Aurora Egido and Clara Sánchez, as examples of the literary talent emerging from the region.
Honouring local writers
A key moment of the day was the tribute to four prominent writers associated with Guadalajara: Clara Sánchez, a member of the Royal Spanish Academy; Gracia Iglesias, a leading figure in children's and youth literature; and historians and authors Laura Lara and María Lara. Guarinos highlighted their roles as continuators of a literary tradition that enhances Guadalajara's reputation both nationally and internationally.
“The presence of names like Aurora Egido and Clara Sánchez reminds us of the extraordinary contributions Guadalajara has made and continues to make to the world of culture, literary creation, and the defence of our language,”
Although Clara Sánchez could not attend due to professional commitments, she sent a message expressing her gratitude, stating, “Guadalajara is not just a place I pass through in my life; it is at the core of my character and inspiration as a writer.”
A celebration of women's written word
The programme included a screening of the video "Teresa de Jesús. The proof of my truth" and readings from influential female authors such as Santa Teresa de Jesús, Virginia Woolf, and María Lejárraga, among others. Participants included members of local reading clubs, municipal representatives, and cultural figures from the city.
Mayor Guarinos also reflected on the origins of this celebration, linking it to Santa Teresa de Jesús, a pivotal figure in Spanish literature, whose legacy is deeply connected to the province of Guadalajara through the Carmelite foundations in Pastrana. She remarked, “Her voice continues to astonish today with the freedom of her thought, the depth of her reflections, and the strength of a writing that has transcended the ages.”
Recognition of the municipal library
The city council extended its tribute to the Municipal Library Suárez de Puga, recognising its daily efforts in promoting reading, preserving bibliographic heritage, and fostering cultural life in Guadalajara. The event concluded with a performance by the all-female string quartet Kombu Cuerda and a group photograph featuring the honoured writers, participants in the readings, municipal representatives, and library members, marking the end of a celebration that the city council hopes to establish as an annual cultural event.
