The UAB publishes El hechizo del tren by Johari Gautier
As part of the Gabriel Ferrater series, the UAB Publishing Service recently published the historical novel El hechizo del tren, by journalist, writer and investigador Johari Gautier. His novel tells the story of the railway, starting from its beginnings in Latin America until reaching the Iberian Peninsula, with tales about the experiences of its main promoter, Miquel Biada. The book was presented on 27 September at the Museu del Ferrocarril de Catalunya (Vilanova i la Geltrú) and two more presentations will be held in October, in Madrid and Mataró.
This novel, the result of a major historical study, is set in the context of the Industrial Revolution and illustrates Spain's move towards modernity and the projection of Barcelona as a railway and technological city. In a period of great instability and despite the countless sacrifices and obstacles its entrepreneurs had to endure, the first Spanish railway line - linking Barcelona and Mataró - ceased to be a dream and became a reality on 28 October 1848. In the words of the writer Jordi Carrión, the novel "not only shows us the vital tensions of a great character, Miquel Biada, but also invites us to explore the lights and shadows of our collective history".
Taking advantage of the fact that on 28 October the 175th anniversary of the railway in Spain will be celebrated, the author will take part in two activities to commemorate this feat. The first one, on 19 October, will take place at the Museo del Ferrocarril de Madrid (Paseo de Las Delicias, 61) and the second one, on 16 November, will be held at the Arxiu Comarcal del Maresme (Carrer de Palau, 32, Mataró). The latter event can also be followed live on YouTube.
Johari Gautier Carmona (Paris, 1979) holds a master's degree in Journalism and Digital Communication from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. A narrator and communicator, he has published works such as África: cambio climático y resiliencia (UAB, 2022), Cuentos históricos del pueblo africano (Almuzara, 2010) and Del sueño y sus pesadillas (Atmósfera Literaria, 2015). His latest work, Hechizos del tren, describes the creation of the first railway line in the Iberian Peninsula, and is also a way of discovering the Barcelona he knew during his childhood.
The UAB, with Sustainable Development Goals
Industry, innovation and infrastructure