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On November 20th, on the occasion of the Day of the Valencian Book, the Historical Library organises a reading of the Tirant lo Blanc open to the open public. The Tirant lo Blanc incunabulum printed in Valencia in 1490, which belongs to the Historical Library, will be exhibited during the whole day. Only three copies of this edition are still preserved in the world.
In 2000, the Valencian Government (Generalitat Valenciana) instituted on November 20 as the Day of the Valencian Book. That same day, but in 1490, the first edition of the work Tirant lo Blanc by the Valencian Joanot Martorell emerged from the press of Nicolau Spindeler, according to the colophon.
This book of cavalries, an emblematic work of the golden age of Valencian literature, which was saved from the bonfire in Don Quixote, is considered the beginning of the modern European novel and is the greatest Valencian contribution to universal literature. This novel narrates the adventures of weapons and love of its protagonist, Tirant, a hero who manages to release Constantinople of the Turkish power, as well as a knight more human than other knights, that suffers for the love of Carmesina.
His plot, varied and rich in register (from a serious tone to humor, from cruelty to sensualism), makes it a pleasant and fun reading, which has resisted the passage of time.
In order to celebrate the Day of the Valencian Book, the Historical Library has organized the reading of this magnificent work that will take place in the Duc de Calàbria room, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. The act will begin with the musical interpretation of two pieces of the Llibre Vermell by Patricia Garcia (viola) and Elia Casanova (voice). Then, the reading in which more than 100 people will participate will start.
During the day, the incunabulum, that arrived at the Historical Library legacy by Giner de Perellós, Marquis of Dos Aguas, will be exhibited. It is one of the three original copies that are still preserved in the world. The other two are in the British Library and the Hispanic Society of America.
To facilitate the preservation and consultation of this work and other heritage works, the Historical Library has its SOMNI free digital access library. (http://somni.uv.es).
