Festival 42

Historically, the loss of our comfort zone – whether that be the planet, the environment or society – has been one of the major fears explored in science fiction and fantasy. Now in particular, though, there is increasing concern about this possible scenario, possibly due to the effects of climate change or fear of collapse caused by current political and economic systems. The authors invited to this round table have written about the end of the world as we know it as a central element of the plot. The winner and runner-up of the first Bagaleu Award, Jordi Escoin and Eduard Martí, have explored this theme in relation to climate change in L’efecte taca d’oli and Infestació (published in a single volume by Chronos). David Gálvez, meanwhile, presents a situation of change and regression accompanied by social and political chaos in Proliferen les calandres (Spècula). Finally, Teresa Muñoz’s Bereshit (Fanbooks – Ramon Muntaner Award) tells the story of how an ancient witch’s curse could end the world and threaten the protagonist’s life, in a context where nature plays a key role. The conversation will be led by their fellow writer Isa-Janis González.