The Cultural Councillor of Torrelavega, Esther Vélez, has announced a new educational initiative aimed at enhancing literary skills within the community. A free workshop focusing on non-fiction literature will take place over five consecutive Wednesdays, from 4 November to 2 December, at the José Manuel Rotella National Photography Centre.
This workshop is part of the José Luis Hidalgo Poetic Classroom programme and complements existing creative writing courses offered by Carlos Alcorta. During the announcement, Vélez expressed her desire for the Poetic Classroom to remain "a meeting place, a learning environment, and a hub for literary creation and engagement with literature."
The workshop aims to introduce participants to various writing techniques based on real events, personal experiences, and everyday occurrences. Vélez noted that this initiative allows attendees to explore the potential of non-fiction literature, a genre that encourages individuals to "transform their lived experiences into literature" while learning to "observe, remember, and research" to find their unique narrative voice.
Marcos Pereda, a writer and lecturer at the National University of Distance Education (UNED), will lead the workshop. He highlighted the growing popularity of non-fiction, which encompasses reportage, chronicles, and narrative journalism. Pereda aims to share his passion for the genre and provide participants with tools and ideas to create texts based on real-life events.
He emphasised that one of the key aspects of non-fiction is its accessibility, making it a fruitful and satisfying avenue for creative expression that anyone can pursue. Pereda also pointed out that the course will demonstrate the possibilities of a genre that transcends mere journalistic information, with no limits beyond what truth and reality dictate.
The workshop will run from 18:00 to 20:00 hours each Wednesday, totalling ten hours of instruction. Participation is free, with approximately 15 spaces available to encourage interaction and experience sharing among attendees. Interested individuals can register by emailing cursoliteraturadenoficcion@gmail.com with their full name. Admission will be confirmed upon acceptance.
