Session 9. What can the literature teach us of the future?

Literature has explored human, social, and planetary knowledge throughout the ages. Many of its contributions are surprising in view of their validity and the way they project signs regarding our increasingly closer future. In this regard, in order to centre the debate, we could stick to the theme of human freedom. What does literature say about freedom (or, in plural, about freedoms)? What threats does it face? Are the conquests irreversible? Precarious? Do they have to be attained in each generation? What is the greatest difficulty in order to preserve them? The fight against barbarism? “The thirst for power”? Bureaucracy? Is despotism an intrinsic human quality?              

• Edurne Portela, writer, author of Maddi y las fronteras
• Marta Sanz, writer, author of Persianas metálicas bajan de golpe
• Jordi Amat, writer, author of El fill del xofer and Vèncer la por
• Enric Balaguer, professor of literature at the University of Alacant and writer