The renowned Extremaduran poet Pureza Canelo has held a series of meetings with students and local residents in Coria and Moraleja, with a particularly enthusiastic reception at IES Alagón. The events, taking place on 12 and 13 November, are part of the launch of the Aula Literaria that bears her name, a joint initiative between the two towns designed to bring literature closer to the public, encourage reading, and facilitate interactions between writers, readers, and younger generations.
Born in Moraleja, Canelo is one of the most prominent voices in contemporary Spanish poetry. During her recent visits, she shared her literary journey and poetic universe with audiences of various ages. A highlight occurred at IES Alagón, where she engaged with students from both this school and IES Caurium, alongside Patricia Alfonso, the Councillor for Culture in Coria.
The students responded positively to the opportunity to learn directly from Canelo, engaging in dialogue and exploring poetry in an accessible and participatory manner. The author’s approachable nature made the encounter particularly enriching, emphasising the value of literature as a means of expression, reflection, and knowledge.
On 12 November, an open event was also held in Moraleja, Canelo's hometown, featuring contributions from the local Councillor for Culture and the Mayor. This gathering was especially meaningful given Canelo's personal and emotional ties to her place of origin.
However, an open meeting scheduled for 11 November at the Coria Town Hall was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Naming the Aula after Pureza Canelo acknowledges her significant contributions to Spanish poetry and her close connection to Extremadura. She won the Adonáis Prize in 1970 for her work Lugar común, received the Medal of Extremadura in 2008, and is a full member of the Royal Academy of Extremadura of Letters and Arts.
The Aula Literaria 'Pureza Canelo' joins the network of Literary Classrooms in Extremadura, a project initiated by the Association of Writers of Extremadura (AEEX) that has been working since 1993 to promote literature in educational institutions and the community. This new addition is notable for being the first Literary Classroom named after a woman and the first to honour a living writer. It will operate collaboratively between Coria and Moraleja, which will combine efforts to develop a shared cultural programme.
Each academic year, four nationally and internationally recognised authors will be featured, with morning sessions for secondary school students and public activities in the afternoons. With these initial events, Coria and Moraleja aim to establish a cultural project that aspires to become a space for meeting, learning, and literary dissemination, with the goal of making poetry accessible to all generations and reinforcing the role of literature in the cultural life of the region.
