Jaipur Literature Festival in Spain: the first in a non-English-speaking country

Earlier this summer, culture360.ASEF.org's contributor David Fernandez witnessed Jaipur Literature Festival’s second edition in the city of Valladolid, in Castile and León (Spain). Standing true to the essence of JLF’s identity, this festival acts as a bridge between the diverse and vibrant literatures of India and the Spanish-speaking world. In this piece, he overviews a cross-cultural programme that unites writers, poets, and thinkers from two flourishing cultures in a dynamic literary, artistic, and linguistic dialogue in both English and Spanish.

Jaipur Literature Festival Valladolid was celebrated in the historic city of Valladolid from 13th to 16th June 2024 and marked the second edition of the festival in Spain, set against the vibrant backdrop of Valladolid’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

The festival, organised and curated by Teamwork Arts, the versatile producer of the iconic annual Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) and the many JLF International editions across the world, explored a diverse array of themes including literature, history, politics, gastronomy, and technology.

In association with the Casa de la India in Valladolid and supported by the Regional Government of Castile and León and the City Council of Valladolid, in collaboration with University of Valladolid, Embassy of India, IE University and hospitality partner Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine, the second edition of JLF Valladolid kickstarted with an opening session in Madrid under the title ‘Walls and bridges’, where renowned panellists insightfully delved into the current global tensions and historical legacies in search of pathways to peace before moving on to the city of Valladolid for the bulk of the festival programme.

1. Jaipur Literature Festival Valladolid © JLF Valladolid / Teamwork Arts

Diverse literary and cultural dialogues

“Madrid and Valladolid beckon in June as ‘JLF Valladolid in Spain’ presents its second stellar edition. We celebrate Spanish synergies with conversations around books, music, history, philosophy, food, wine, and the wings of poetry. It's a magical, immersive long weekend that invokes the interwoven cultural traditions of India and Spain.” - Namita Gokhale, award-winning writer and Festival Co-Director

The programme continued at Campo Grande Park in Valladolid with some diverse yet inspiring sessions throughout the weekend examining different relevant topics. From the intersection of power and privilege, gender and equity in the context of established and emerging feminist theory and practices, to the exploration of the boundaries of creativity and originality in the age of AI and technology, particularly from a literary translators’ point of view, who humanly aim to bridge the delicate emotional connections between cultures and languages.

Another interesting panel examined both the culinary and economic worlds. A nourishing session that walked the audience into a nostalgic yet flavorful journey through the intersections of food, culture and economics.

In total, this second edition brought together more than twenty prestigious national and international speakers and included the participation of great figures such as economist Abhijit Banerjee, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, novelist and diplomat Vikas Swarup, journalist Roger Cohen and best-selling author and journalist Christina Lamb, writer and playwright Santiago Roncagliolo, historian William Dalrymple, writer Namita Gokhale, literary historian Paulo Lemos Horta, poet Tishani Doshi and chefs Asma Khan and Marc Segarra, among others.

2. Jaipur Literature Festival Valladolid © JLF Valladolid / Teamwork Arts

Enhancing mutual understanding through the universal language of culture

“JLF Valladolid represents a significant step in our mission to bring the rich tapestry of literature and cultural dialogue to a global audience. Set against the historic backdrop of Valladolid, this festival offers a platform for profound exploration and exchange, bridging diverse themes from literature and politics to culinary arts and technology.” - Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts

In addition to the literary panels and talks, the artistic programme also included traditional music and dance performances by artists hailing from India accompanied by local performers, with the aim of shortening the bridge between India and Spain, allowing attendees to first-hand experience the universal language of art and literature.

3. Jaipur Literature Festival Valladolid © JLF Valladolid / Teamwork Arts

Each day of the festival was introduced by a morning yoga session followed by regional music performances from India, an indeed truly stimulating way to absorb the unique cross-cultural experience that JLF Valladolid brought to the Spanish audience.

Furthermore, as a novelty in this edition, an Indian-style bazaar was set up in the Campo Grande Park to allow attendees to indulge in gastronomy, wines and handicrafts of India, Valladolid and Castile and León. A new activity designed in an effort to encourage international cultural and gastronomic tourism between India and Spain.

4. Jaipur Literature Festival Valladolid © JLF Valladolid / Teamwork Arts

‘The second edition of JLF Valladolid, taking place this year at the iconic Campo Grande Park—known for its magical atmosphere, sculptures dedicated to writers, and as home to the city’s colourful peacocks—promises once again to be a unique opportunity to fulfil its primary cultural mission as a platform where ‘Words Are Bridges. - Guillermo Rodríguez, Founding Director of Casa de la India

Casa de la India, one of the finest Indian cultural centers in Europe

5. Casa de la India in Spain © Casa de la India

Back in 2003, the Casa de la India in Spain was established in Valladolid as a cultural foundation for the projection and dissemination of Indian culture from Spain, as well as the promotion of cultural, institutional and training activities, with three founding patrons: the Republic of India, through the Embassy of India in Madrid; the City Council of Valladolid; and the University of Valladolid, joined in 2014 by the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations of the Government of India).

Casa de la India is the third Indian cultural center to open in Europe under the auspices of the Indian government, after the Nehru Center in London and the Tagore Zentrum in Berlin. As a pioneering cultural foundation that integrates the Government of India, local partners and an extensive network of public and private collaborating entities, Casa de la India has established itself as a model for India's cultural diplomacy abroad.

Casa de la India has as its main headquarters an early 20th century building in Valladolid capital city, opened its doors in 2006, from where the institution carries out most of its activities as a platform for relations and cooperation between both countries in the different fields of cultural diplomacy action. Its unique programme responds to the cultural, social, academic, institutional and economic needs of the 21st century in the relations between India and Spain. It contributes to promote in Spain the vast economic, scientific, technological and cultural potential of India today, facilitating a greater exchange, and also fostering actions that increase the presence of Spain in India.

To find out more about Jaipur Literature Festival in Valladolid, please visit: https://jlflitfest.org/spain/schedule-spain

To find out more about Casa de la India, please visit: https://www.casadelaindia.org/

About the Author

David Fernández is a Spanish-born contributing writer working in Asia-Pacific region for over a decade. Currently working as freelance arts & cultural project manager, producer and translator between Europe and Asia. He previously worked for the Spanish Agency for Cooperation and Development (AECID) as an arts administrator and as a cultural manager consultant for several international institutions and arts & culture platforms.