What is literature made of? Of emotions, structures, actions, ideas…, yes, of course, but above all, as you know, of words. One after another, they line up and mix first in the author’s mind and, then, in the reader’s. And if there is a literary party, its soul is those who have chosen some words and not others, and yesterday at the Alma hotel there were a lot.
“If we take a look at our most recent past and if we broaden our view to international developments, we will become aware that Catalonia has left behind the time of paralysis and indecision. Catalonia has left behind the time of division and confrontation. Catalonia is living today the time of solutions to transform the country.” In the traditional institutional message from the President of the Generalitat for Sant Jordi, Salvador Illa has this year painted an optimistic picture of Catalonia, based on an analysis of the global situation, where armed conflicts carry great weight, but also based on the internal diagnosis. Illa believes that “Catalonia is on the move and determined.”
We thank Gonzalo Celorio for representing, in his work and in his life, that fruitful dialogue between tradition and creation, between memory and future, between Mexico and Spain. For ultimately enriching our language and our literary heritage.” With these words, the King certified this Thursday the enduring union of both countries, “more than brothers,” in the Cervantes Prize award ceremony to the Mexican writer that took place in the main hall of the University of Alcalá de Henares.
Every Sant Jordi is unique. This one will be the one of pollen, as, added to the wind, it has been, books aside, one of the protagonists of the day. Although the streets are always filled with books and roses and Casa Batlló once again dresses its facade for the occasion, the circumstances change: the weather –sun is expected for much of the day–, the authors signing, or even the sections where stalls are set up can change. This 2026, for example, the traditional and iconic image of La Rambla full of stalls will not take place due to construction work and, instead, will be replaced by a new literary axis that will start at Portal de l’Àngel and extend through Plaza Nova and Plaza de la Catedral and up to Via Laietana.
With that characteristic slyness, Mariano Rajoy once said about the party’s slush fund he presided over: “We knew everything, except what appeared in the newspapers.” The Gürtel case politically brought down the leader of the PP, but he has never had to assume judicial responsibility for the illegal financing network that operated for years within the PP and provided undeclared bonuses to a large part of its leaders and served to pay for the renovation of the party’s headquarters on Génova street in Madrid, as well as numerous electoral events and to enrich some necessary intermediaries, such as the party’s own treasurer, Luis Bárcenas. Several judges have investigated this case and its derivatives, but Rajoy has not been accused of anything in these years. Today he will testify again before the Audiencia Nacional. It is necessary to review, now with perspective, what has happened so that M. Rajoy’s involvement has not gone further and is only fodder for talk shows or social media memes. We are going to divide one of the most relevant corruption cases of recent decades in Spain into three phases:
“I will answer everything I am asked.” Although the president of the court judging Operation Kitchen warned her that she had been provisionally cleared, meaning any false answer could serve to reopen the case against her, the former secretary general of the Popular Party arrived this Thursday at the Audiencia Nacional eager to distance herself from any parapolice operation to steal information from Luis Bárcenas because at that time she “was certain” that “that person you are talking about” (referring to the former treasurer) did not have any document that could compromise the Popular Party leadership over its irregular financing. Words that could contradict a recording that was made public in which she asked former commissioner José Manuel Villarejo:
As expected, Mariano Rajoy has denied the main accusations made by former PP treasurer Luis Bárcenas about his knowledge of an illegal slush fund within the party or about a supposed operation orchestrated by the Popular Party, the Government, or the Police to steal data that could criminally affect him. In fact, for the former president of the government, there was no illegal operation.
Lamine Yamal left the field suffering from muscle discomfort in his left thigh just after converting the penalty, in the 40th minute, with which his team sealed the three points. The Rocafonda native suffers a tear in the hamstrings of his left leg and could miss the six remaining matches until the end of the season. He left sad and dejected.
Lamine Yamal caused the penalty by Yoel Lago, he was in charge of taking it, converted it, and got injured during the shot. Penalty, goal, and injury. He didn’t even celebrate Barça’s 1-0 against Celta. The scare at Spotify Camp Nou was significant, as all attention on the pitch and in the stands focused on what was happening to the Blaugrana star. Initial examinations suggest a rupture. Tests will be conducted this Thursday to determine the actual extent of the injury. He could miss the remainder of the League (six matches). The World Cup starts next June 11, and in 53 days, on the 15th, the Spanish national team debuts against Cape Verde.
It was the last thing he did before getting injured but it proved fundamental. It was the last time he touched the ball but it was enough to secure a victory that leaves Barça with a nine-point lead in the championship when only eighteen remain. Lamine Yamal placed the ball on the penalty spot and scored. When he shot, he suffered a hamstring tear. A significant loss, but his teammates knew how to survive in the second half to secure a hard-fought, eventful, and worked triumph. Barça continues to count their home games in the League as victories, and that strength is a treasure.