Discussion around the figure of Carmen Bravo-Villasante on the occasion of the publication of her memoirs, "Invention of Life". 

The month of March is a perfect occasion to remember the women, often forgotten, who forged the culture and roots of who we are. Carmen Bravo-Villasante (Madrid 1918-1994) is one of them. Philologist, folklorist, writer and translator, her spirit avid for knowledge and without borders was fundamental for literature in Spain and for the consideration of Spanish philology at an international level. In the fifties and through Edith Helman, director of the International Institute, she began to give classes to the group from Smith College in Madrid, which, based at the International Institute, was very important for the strengthening of cultural relations between the United States and Spain. . She continued this work as a teacher at other American institutions such as Lake Forest College and Middlebury College. Recently, under the title "Invention of Life" his memoirs, which had remained unpublished for decades, have been published.

He received the Fray Luis de León National Translation Prize in 1979 and the National Prize for Children's and Youth Literature from the Ministry of Culture in 1980, in its research modality. Among his best-known works are: "The woman dressed as a man in the Spanish theater of the Golden Age" (1955), "History of Spanish children's literature" (1959), "Anthology of children's literature in the Spanish language" (1962 ) and “Life and work of Emilia Pardo-Bazán” (1963). She was a very active member of the Ateneo de Madrid and various national and international associations.

Presentation:

• Carmen Ruiz Bravo-Villasante, Arabist, professor at the UAM, and daughter of the author
• Maria Jesús Fraga, PhD in Spanish Philology with studies focused on children's literature
• Cristina Ruiz Fernández, journalist and granddaughter of the author

This free event will take place in Spanish.