Remembering Manuel Vázquez Montalbán
Coinciding with the anniversary of his passing, the Centre Cívic Vallvidrera – Manuel Vázquez Montalbán pays tribute to the literary father of detective Carvalho.
It was one October day, at Bangkok airport, when Manuel Vázquez Montalbán’s heart stopped. Yet the author remains alive in the places he inhabited—the Raval and Vallvidrera. You can revisit his world from 7 to 25 November.
The civic centre itself bears his name because the writer lived here—just like his character, Pepe Carvalho, the detective who lit his fireplace with books, a gesture of revenge against a culture that had not taught him how to live.
The literary and personal universe of Vázquez Montalbán is revived through a programme of cinema, literature, and guided walks, evoking both the author and his creation, who helped turn Barcelona into the capital of a new, socially engaged form of noir fiction. It’s no coincidence that the city hosts BCNegra, the crime fiction festival that was born to honour the legacy of the author of Tatuaje, Los mares del Sur, and so many other novels to read and reread.
At the civic centre, the Norma Comics exhibition 50 Years of Vázquez Montalbán revisits the life of Pepe Carvalho through the comic adaptations by Hernán Migoya and Bartolomé Seguí. The rich, sometimes contradictory personality of this private detective becomes Vázquez Montalbán’s way of offering a sharp critique of the society surrounding him.
The exhibition is one of several events dedicated to the writer and his work. Every Tuesday from 7 to 25 November, the centre screens episodes from the TVE series Carvalho (starring Eusebio Poncela). You can also take a literary walk through the Raval, stopping at 11 Carrer de la Botella, where a plaque marks the author’s birthplace. Let your imagination wander—you might picture young Vázquez Montalbán running through those same streets—before heading to your local library to borrow one of his books, the kind that reward multiple readings.
And for the younger ones? Children from the neighbourhood have created their own play, Following Carvalho’s Footsteps, inspired by the detective’s cases. Expect intrigue, wit, and a newfound passion for theatre as they discover an author who continues to fascinate new generations.
If you wish to remember Manuel Vázquez Montalbán by revisiting the places and stories of his life, visit the Centre Cívic Vallvidrera – Manuel Vázquez Montalbán—but check the website first for details on all activities included in this special tribute.