Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 12:19
Madrid – The Spanish-Moroccan writer Farid Othman Bentría presented, Monday evening at the Ateneo cultural center in Madrid, his new work entitled “Leve declaración de ausencias (Little declaration of absences).
Moderated by the Spanish journalist Laura Piñero in the presence of the director of the Cervantes Institute, Luis García Montero, this meeting made it possible to explore the major themes of the work, notably identity and the quest for oneself, with an in-depth analysis of the way in which the characters oscillate between presence and absence.
Discussing the process of creating his novel, Bentría revealed that the idea came from his own experiences and observations of the world around him, adding that it took him four years to bring the project to fruition. term.
“The book is the language through which we construct ourselves; they are the eyes that tell the lives of others while retracing the incessant quest for one’s own path,” he confided.
For his part, Mr. Montero praised Farid Bentría’s ability to marry poetry and narration, thus offering a reading experience that transcends geographical and temporal boundaries.
“Although no city is explicitly named, clues scattered throughout the story clearly evoke Tangier, a city at the crossroads of cultures, where the call to prayer resonates alongside multilingual dialogues, illustrating a deep understanding of Arab traditions and European,” he told MAP.
Confirming this interpretation, Mr. Bentría emphasized: “Tangier is indeed the setting of the story, even if it is never mentioned by name. The city embodies this duality and these exchanges between the two shores of the Mediterranean, which are at the heart of my story.”
Expressing his pride in presenting his first novel in this prestigious cultural center, Mr. Bentría also emphasized that he never felt an identity conflict, despite leaving for Granada at a young age. His Tangier roots, deeply rooted in him, continue to enrich his perspective and his writing.
“This strong connection with Tangier, even at a distance, allows me to navigate calmly between my different identities and to integrate these multiple influences into my literary work,” he said.
During the event, the author shared anecdotes about his literary journey and answered questions from the audience, sparking rich and lively discussions on the role of literature in the contemporary world.
The evening concluded with a signing session, where readers from all backgrounds were able to exchange a few words with the writer, testifying to their enthusiasm and the positive impact of this meeting.
This literary event celebrated not only the talent of Farid Othman Bentría, but also the importance of literature as a vector of culture and dialogue, highlighting the deep ties that unite the two shores of the Mediterranean.
Born in 1979 in Tangier into a family proud of its interculturality, Farid Othman Bentría studied political science and sociology in Granada. He currently serves as coordinator of the Pablo Iglesias Foundation (PSOE), member of the Athenaeum of Madrid literary section and secretary general of the Ibn Rochd association.
Through his writings and his cultural activities, he continues to explore and celebrate the richness of intercultural exchanges, while highlighting literature as a privileged means of dialogue and understanding between peoples.
