The event will take place at Augusto González Linares roomand is part of the cultural program ‘Mondays at the museum’organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sportswhose objective is to boost cultural activities in the region.
Juan Francisco Quevedo: a multifaceted author
Juan Francisco Quevedo is Bachelor of Pharmacy and a prolific writer of novels, essays and poems. Throughout his career he has published works such as ‘Ana in the month of July’ (2014), ‘Dear princess’ (2016), ‘The line of oblivion’ (2017), ‘José Simón Cabarga’ (2018), and ‘A look at this our time’ (2021). His vast experience and his ability to combine reality and fiction are reflected in his latest work, which addresses a mysterious historical object.
The Bielva Gate: heritage and mystery
The Bielva gatethe central object of the novel, is a unique piece that has been part of the collection of the Cantabrian Maritime Museum for more than 40 years. This unique door stands out for its relief of an 18th century sailing shipconsidered one of the best preserved in Europe. The ship depicted on the door, known as ‘The Mountaineer’played an important role in the Battle of Trafalgar and in the War of Independence.
What makes this piece even more intriguing are the graffiti discovered at the door, which seem to be witnesses of the events of the time. The Bielva gate thus becomes a piece of great historical value which not only provides information about the ship, but also about the War of Independence.
The fictionalized mystery
In his novel ‘The Mystery of the Bielva Gate’Quevedo intertwines reality and fiction to create a story that explores the gate’s past and the secrets it hides. Through a narrative that combines historical facts and plausible conjecturesthe author gives life to a story in which history and fiction meet to reveal the enigmas that surround this unique object.
As the author himself points out, in the novel elements of historical research with a possible fictioncreating a plot that is both plausible and fascinating, maintaining the mystery that has captivated researchers and museum visitors for years.
A literary quote with history
The presentation of this book will be a unique opportunity to delve into the history of the Bielva Gate and discover the mysteries it contains. Attendees will be able to enjoy an interesting talk about Quevedo’s research and writing process, and learn more about the historical context that inspires the novel.
This event promises to be an excellent plan for lovers of history, literature and heritage, in a setting as emblematic as the Cantabrian Maritime Museum.
