KATHERINE NEVILLE’S
Sprezzatura in Spain Newsletter
Hallowe’en, 2025
This autumn, on my very favorite Holiday (All Saints and All Souls—and All Hallows’ Eve, our Hallowe’en) I will be honored with prestigious awards from two Literary and Art Festivals in Spain: Ocultura and the Festival de las Ánimas. This is so exciting to me, since, right now, I am writing about Artists in the “Age of Sprezzatura” (a kind of masterful grace and swashbuckling style!)
Over the years, I have spoken at distinguished venues and traveled for research all around Spain. I love Spain and the love affair seems eternally mutual. Long ago, in a national readers’ poll by the noted Spanish journal El Pais, my novel The Eight (El Ocho) was voted one of the top ten books of all time. And my books have consistently been ranked in the Top Three for the UNESCO Day of the Book in Barcelona.
This unexpected double honor is like a homecoming for my books and for me!
Ocultura in Zaragoza, October 29-31
“The VIIIth International Meeting of Occultation is a three-day event, held in the beautiful city of Zaragoza. This celebration is dedicated to exploring the hidden elements and mysteries of art and culture, with a focus this year on the artist Francisco Goya. The event was founded by acclaimed writer and journalist Javier Sierra.“
I am invited to deliver the closing keynote lecture, Memories of the Future: Art and Memory.
Festival de las Ánimas in Soria, November 1
“The Festival of Souls in Soria will be celebrating its 38th year as an annual event in tribute to the beloved Spanish Romantic poet and writer, Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, one of the most widely read Spanish authors after Cervantes! During the festival, the historic streets of Soria are lit up with torches and filled with music as poetry readings and literary discussions are held throughout the city.“
On the night of All Souls, November 1st, I will join Javier Sierra and Tomás Hijo in a round table discussion on “Literature, Bécquer, Mystery, and Writing.” And I will be honored with the Mask of Souls Award!
Sprezzatura in Spain Videos
Ocultura Video (1:09min)
Las Animas Video (1:16min)
