On Monday, February 3rd, the picturesque Teodor González Municipal Park in Tortosa became a haven for literature and music enthusiasts. The event, “Sweet Rumble of Water in Memory,” saw the participation of first-year artistic high school students, accompanied by the enchanting violin performances of student Pau Forner.
The literary route unfolded at six significant points within the park:
- Central Promenade
- Narrow-Gauge Railway Engine
- Monument of Brotherhood
- Fountain
- Medieval Market
- Poetic Space dedicated to Gerard Vergés
During the event, students performed readings of works by English-speaking authors with connections to Tortosa. The selections included:
- Ernest Hemingway, the last war correspondent in the city in April 1938.
- Martin Luther King Jr., whose “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was translated into Catalan by Tortosa native Zoraida Burgos.
- The Brontë Sisters, chosen for a research project by Amanda Cutts, a student at Institut Despuig.
- Virginia Woolf, with one of her books translated into Catalan by professor Carme Camacho.
- Thomas Eliot, deeply admired by local poet Gerard Vergés.
The event culminated in the reading of a translated poem by Gerard Vergés himself, bringing the journey full circle and paying homage to Tortosa’s rich literary heritage. It was a day that beautifully married the arts, leaving an indelible mark on all who attended.
This unique celebration of literature and music not only showcased the talents of the young students but also highlighted the deep cultural connections that tie Tortosa to the broader literary world.
