Nave 10 Matadero, a contemporary dramatic arts centre in Madrid, will launch a new edition of its scenic conference cycle on 17 November. This innovative format blends philosophy, art, and life, encouraging audience participation beyond mere observation.
The cycle will commence with 'biografía del silencio', an essay by priest, writer, and thinker Pablo d’Ors. Following this, the programme will feature meteorologist and oceanographer Mercedes Martín on 26 January, and Fernanda Orazi, who will return to Nave 10 to explore the connection between culinary and theatrical creation alongside a senior chef on 27 April.
This initiative aims to provide spaces for reflection on contemporary societal issues, inviting audiences to pause, listen, and engage in conversation.
'Biografía del silencio' is a concise and insightful essay that describes the journey of an individual towards stillness, silence, and meditation, highlighting the benefits of such practices. Since its publication in 2012, the book has sold over half a million copies and has been translated into several major languages.
Pablo d’Ors notes, “There is a great spiritual thirst in our world, and meditation has become a fundamental necessity in various fields.” He hopes the performance will “touch the hearts of the audience, encouraging them towards a modest yet profoundly effective practice.”
The stage adaptation, directed by Luis d’Ors, the author’s brother, will feature Lluís Homar, a renowned meditator and prominent actor, reading selected excerpts from the essay. He will be accompanied by a group of meditators from the Fundación Amigos del Desierto.
According to the director, “Conscious meditation leads you to live without ideas, and on this path, there is neither an end nor a purpose; we meditate simply to connect with our true selves.” Following the reading, a discussion will take place with the author, director, and performer sharing their experiences of silence as a tool for personal transformation.
Pablo d’Ors is the founder of the meditators' network Amigos del Desierto and Tabor, a secular monastic project. He has authored a dozen works, including 'biografía del silencio', 'biografía de la luz', and 'el olvido de sí', and conducts lectures and retreats across Spain, Italy, and Latin America.
Luis d’Ors has directed over 20 productions in venues such as Teatro Español and the Festival de Almagro. He trained at the Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático in Acting and Direction and has assisted renowned directors including José Luis Alonso and Miguel Narros.
Lluís Homar co-founded the Teatre Lliure in Barcelona in 1976, serving as its artistic director from 1992 to 1998. He has collaborated with filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar on films such as 'La mala educación' and 'Los abrazos rotos'. In 2015, he received the Max Award for Best Actor for 'Terra Baixa' and directed the Compañía Nacional de Teatro Clásico from 2019 to 2024.
