Atxaga presents “El paraíso y los gatos” in Madrid

The DVD-book was published by the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid as part of its Poetry Editions collection. Support was also provided by Euskaltzaindia - the Royal Academy of the Basque Language - and the Etxepare Basque Institute.

Numerous events were held in Madrid at the end of March and the beginning of April as part of the cultural program "Atxaga’s Universe":http://www.etxepareinstitutua.net/es/2013/03/el-universo-de-atxaga-llegara-hasta-madrid/, a celebration of the writer, his work and the 25th anniversary of the publication of the novel Obabakoak. Events included a staging of the play "The Accordionist’s Son":http://www.etxepareinstitutua.net/es/2013/03/la-obra-el-hijo-del-acordeonista-se-estrena-hoy-en-madrid/ at the Centro Dramático Nacional and screenings of the films "Zeru horiek" ("Those Skies") and "Bi anai" ("Two Brothers"). The Valle-Inclán Theater hosted an evening with Atxaga and musician Ruper Ordorika, with Atxaga reciting poetry and Ordorika giving a concert. The program devoted to Atxaga closed with the presentation of El paraíso y los gatos.

"El paraíso y los gatos" (2013)

In March of 2012, Euskaltzaindia, the Etxepare Basque Institute and Euskalerriaren Adiskideen Elkartea organized a multi-day event called “Homage to the Basque language. Basque, a language with a future”. Among the various activities that took place in Madrid, Bernardo Atxaga gave a reading of short stories and poems called "El paraíso y los gatos" ("Paradise and Cats"), accompanied by musician Jabier Muguruza at the Círculo de Bellas Artes (see video).

This is the reading that has been released as the DVD-book, which also contains a short essay by Atxaga called "*Utopia’s Place*".

As the author himself states, "El paraíso y los gatos" is first and foremost a story. But it is a story that incorporates short stories, poems, humorous tales and reflections, bringing together a variety of forms and tones.