The Casa-Museo Pérez Galdós hosted a tribute to Yolanda Arencibia, a prominent figure in galdosian studies, during the XIII International Galdosian Congress, which takes place from 27 to 30 October under the theme 'Galdós, present and future. New challenges of galdosism'.
The session, titled 'Eternally Yolanda', gathered representatives from academic and cultural institutions, as well as individuals connected to her professional journey and dedication to the research, editing, and dissemination of the works of Benito Pérez Galdós, a key Spanish novelist from Gran Canaria.
The event served to acknowledge the impact Arencibia had on galdosism and her contribution to developing a research community that continues to work to keep the legacy of the Gran Canarian writer alive. The diversity of voices present highlighted the academic, cultural, and institutional dimensions of a career closely linked to the study of Galdós and the development of research and meeting spaces dedicated to his work.
A career dedicated to galdós
Yolanda Arencibia was a professor of Spanish Literature and a full professor at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where she directed the Benito Pérez Galdós Chair since 1995. She also served as the dean of the Faculty of Philology during its first decade, from 1989 to 1999, and was the executive councillor for Education at the Cabildo of Gran Canaria from 1999 to 2003. Additionally, she was a member of the Canary Academy of the Language.
Her research and editorial work were crucial in deepening the understanding of Galdós's oeuvre. Among her contributions is the editing of the collection 'Arte, Naturaleza y Verdad. Obras completas de Pérez Galdós', published between 2005 and 2013. She was also part of the editorial board of 'Anales Galdosianos' and belonged to the International Association of Galdosists (AIG), serving as vice-president from 2002 to 2005. Her connection with the Casa-Museo Pérez Galdós dates back to the institution's beginnings, where she collaborated on research and promoted the International Galdosian Congresses.
Moreover, she participated in significant projects, including those related to Galdós's correspondence, contributing to a broader understanding of the author's life and literary production. In 2020, she received the XXXII Comillas Prize for History, Biography, and Memoirs for her work 'Galdós. Una biografía', which reflects her deep knowledge of the writer and her ability to bring his figure and legacy closer to new readers.
A legacy that endures in the future of galdosism
The tribute is part of an edition of the International Galdosian Congress that invites reflection on the continuity and renewal of studies dedicated to the writer. Under the theme 'Galdós, present and future. New challenges of galdosism', the thirteenth edition brings together 98 participants, including speakers and guests, and presents 72 research proposals, with a notable presence of female researchers and new generations of specialists.
The memory of Yolanda Arencibia takes on special significance in this context, both for her contribution to the understanding of Galdós's work and for her role in consolidating the congresses as a space for scientific exchange among researchers from various backgrounds and academic traditions.
In addition to the tribute, the Casa-Museo Pérez Galdós keeps her legacy alive through a dedicated space in the library, located on the second floor of the centre, where her office has been recreated. The proposal also includes an audiovisual tour featuring images of her career and video testimonials from those who admired her and shared professional and research experiences with her.
