This year’s Cervantes Prize, Luis Mateo Diez has acknowledged being “uneasy” about the current political situation in Spain and believes that after the announcement by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, of his continuity at the head of the Executive there will be “part of Spain that will be stunned.”
“Despite my discredit to ideologies, I live in a world and a country where there are many elements to be uneasy and sometimes stupefied.“, explained the Cervantes Prize winner in a meeting with the media for the publication of his new novel ‘The master of the track’ (Alfaguara), later alluding to Sánchez’s decision.
Díez explained that this Monday, seeing “what has happened” with the President of the Government, leads him to think that “part of Spain will be stupefied“However, he recalled that “the only thing” he has are “some convictions” and, among them, is that of the “total and absolute discredit” of beliefs and ideologies.
The Cervantes Prize has recalled the event that took place last Tuesday in Alcalá de Henares – one day before Sánchez’s announcement of reflection – in which the President of the Government himself was present alongside the Kings and the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso. So, He described this event as “a pleasant and affectionate atmosphere” in which he felt like “the protagonist” of the ceremony..
The creator of the imaginary territory of Celama has noted with humor that all these past acts, thanks to the awarding of the prize, have made him feel “delighted” to have “met” and he affirms that he still ““the hangover” of a “very intense and very rewarding” week has not passed.
“It is a ceremony and there are a number of events and events that are seen to be very well organized and all with a lot of respect, very good tone, well, what is one going to say?”, ironically stated the Leonese writer, who assures that What comes after this award is “the return of calm and tranquility.” “And, at this point, I have won the Cervantes and I am not unfortunate, people stop me on the street,” he commented with humor.
In fact, for Díez one cannot “live in a state of success and excitement beyond what one should” and his future will continue to be linked to writing. “Art has a component of vice, something vicious, and “I hope to continue writing until I have enough awareness and lucidity to know that this is the moment when one begins to repeat oneself.”he assured.
The author has recognized that his new novel ‘The Master of the Track’ is an “unrealistic” work that already from the title offers a “metaphorical and symbolic” reading of current reality. “We live in a world where many of us believe we are the master of the track, a track that is variable: sometimes a circus track and other times a road track on which there are people who slide at more speed than they should,” he lamented.
Díez has continued his defense of “unreality” versus “excess of reality and topicality”, ensuring that he will continue writing until the end of his days. “I live in my novels and in fiction: I sold my soul to the devil a long time ago, I am an octogenarian and I am already in the retirement phase,” she concluded.