The Casa de Galicia in Madrid held a solemn tribute to the late Mario Vargas Llosa, organised by the Academia Xacobea. The event brought together representatives from the cultural and academic spheres, as well as the writer's family.
Luis E. Ramos, director of the Xunta's institutional representation in Madrid, was present alongside Marcelino Agís Villaverde, president of the Academia Xacobea; honorary president Xesús Palmou; vice president Ulises Bértolo; general secretary Milagros Otero; and Vargas Llosa's son, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa.
During his speech, Ramos welcomed the attendees and expressed gratitude to the Academia Xacobea for choosing the Xunta's institutional headquarters in Madrid as the venue for the tribute. He emphasised the role of the Casa de Galicia as a meeting point between Galicia and the world, and as a space open to culture, thought, creation, and dialogue—values that resonate with the intellectual and literary legacy of Mario Vargas Llosa.
Ramos also recalled Vargas Llosa's connection to the Camino de Santiago, noting that he walked a section of the pilgrimage route in O Burgo in 2019 during his visit to Galicia for an event at the Universidade da Coruña. This relationship, he highlighted, underscores the significance of the tribute at the Casa de Galicia, especially as the community prepares for the upcoming Xacobeo 2027.
With 70 days remaining until the start of Xacobeo 2027, Galicia is finalising preparations for another celebration of the Holy Year of Compostela. In this context, the Casa de Galicia in Madrid is reinforcing its efforts to promote and disseminate the Camino de Santiago in the capital, helping to raise awareness of its cultural, historical, and heritage value, while positioning Galicia as a key destination for pilgrims worldwide.
