The Diputación de Toledo has recently concluded the special program on the occasion of the Book day, registering a notable influx of public. More than 600 people participated in the 16 free activities and open to the public organized in the Provincial Palace for nine days, consolidating this cultural event in the local calendar. The initiative sought to foster reading and bringing culture to citizens through a varied offer that included from sale of books at reduced prices to theatrical and musical representations.
This year’s celebration, which extended for nine days in recent dates due to the coincidence with festivities such as Holy Week and May 1, has managed to maintain the interest of the Toledo public. Despite the temporary reduction with respect to the previous edition, the activities scheduled within the framework of the Book Day of the Diputación de Toledo They had a good reception and significant assistance in all events.
One of the points of greatest interest was the special sale of publications of the Editorial Fund of the Institution. Counters were enabled in the Zaguán of the Provincial Palace where titles with discounts between 40% and 70% were put on sale, oscillating prices between one and thirty euros. This initiative facilitated access to works edited or co -edited by the Diputación, achieving the sale of 319 copies. Among the most demanded books stood out “sheds and passageways”, followed by the children’s publication “Tula and Tula: the kingdom of heaven.” Other titles with good reception were “Alfonso X and the Corpus of Toledo”, “Artifice of Juanelo” and “the popular embroidery Toledo.”
The cultural program covered various disciplines. Visitors were able to enjoy two exhibitions in the Hall of the Provincial Palace between April 22 and 30: a pictorial sample entitled “Landscapes and Jardines del Tajo”, with works assigned by Carlos Pérez-Hercle, and an exhibition of facsimiles of Cervantes writings, possible thanks to the collaboration of the Provincial Archive.
The theater played a leading role with the Atenea de Mora theater group, led by Olga Sánchez-Dehesa, which offered four theatrizations inspired by the Universe of Cervantes and El Quijote. In addition, the group made a dramatization during the presentation of the novel “The Kiss”, by Jesús Gallardo. The “Guide of the Province of Toledo was also presented: places to remember”, adapted to easy reading in collaboration with full inclusion.
The commemoration of Book Day of the Diputación de Toledo He also involved the educational community. On April 23, fifteen schoolchildren of 3rd and 4th of ESO participated in a public reading of adapted fragments of “The Force of Blood”, one of the “exemplary novels” of Cervantes set in Toledo, seeking to bring the Cervantine work closer to the young readers. That same day, the radio joined the celebration with the live broadcast of the “More than one Toledo” program, conducted by Javier Escudero, from the Plenary Hall of the Diputación.
Music complemented the cultural offer with two performances: a concert of the art straps music, formed by Pura Murillo (cello) and Celia Torres (saxophone), and a recital of classical music and sound bands by Samuel Gómez Tavira (piano) and Luis María Guzmán (cello).
It should be noted that the activities scheduled for April 28, specifically the concert of the round trip (Ariel Acevedo and Roberto Durán) and the presentation of the book «Luis Tristán, excellent painter of stories» by Luis Alberto Pérez Velarde, had to be suspended due to a generalized cut of the electricity supply. The Diputación has reported that new dates will be sought for the celebration of both acts.
The Government of the Diputación de Toledo has positively valued this edition of the Book Day of the Diputación de Toledothanking the involvement of collaborators and participants. The institution reaffirms its commitment to bring books and culture closer to citizens of all ages, stressing that art and reading enrich and encourage a freer society.
