Together with the Catalan Olga Martínez, he announced through the Candaya publishing house the works of prominent Murcian writers such as Javier Moreno and Diego Sánchez Aguilar, which appear among the novelties in his catalog for 2023.
Paco Robles (Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, 1957), soul and heart of the publishing house Candaya in Barcelona, died last night of a heart attack, which caused a cascade of emotions in the region of Murcia, where he had created with Olga Martínez , his fellow life and co-founder of the company, an enthusiastic community of enthusiasts of its publications. Few independent publishers like Candaya managed to generate such feelings of admiration for good work. Both published some of the most prominent writers in the Murcia region, including Javier Moreno and Diego Sánchez Aguilar, two of Candaya’s favorite authors who appear among the novelties in its 2023 catalogue.
Robles was something of a quixotic publisher, touring Spain and Latin America on the popular ‘Candaya Routes’ to encourage encounters between writers and readers, and wherever they went they were received with genuine enthusiasm. Murcia and Cartagena were always marked on that map. That eagerness to share the best literature was his greatest asset. “We cannot afford to publish authors or works of which we are not absolutely convinced.” This was one of his maxims. «We cannot take the slightest risk in that, but we are willing to take the other risks. We also want to be rigorous in taking care of all editing details, from design to distribution.”
And in that both Olga Martínez and Paco Robles were light years ahead of other publishers. Respect for good stories, for authors and for well-published books was the creed that was prayed in that sanctum sanctorum that was the headquarters of Candaya at 4 Bòbila Street in Barcelona, where they debated with absolute devotion what they had to include in the four collections (narrative, poetry, essay and open).
A graduate of Educational Sciences and Professor of Language and Literature, Robles was the author of the ‘Crisol’ secondary school book series, published by Vicens Vives. In 2003, the Candaya project was born, which 20 years later has published more than a hundred titles, with a special focus on Latin American authors and new Spanish fiction. The latest book, ‘Magnificent desolation’, ‘four novels exploring the boundaries between reality and imagination, and how the digital and algorithmic order is changing our lives’, by Javier Moreno from Murcia, has just hit bookstores. Moreno also saw two previous books published in Candaya, ‘Null Island’ and ‘Click’.
Another author in the Candaya catalog is Diego Sánchez Aguilar, from Cartagena, who will see his latest novel published in May, “Those Who Listen,” the publisher announced a week ago. It is “a choral novel that meticulously and delusionally portrays a contemporary society dominated by fear and anxiety.” In 2018, Paco Robles and Olga Martínez released ‘Factbook’, “a vibrant dystopia full of ethical dilemmas that invites the reader to rethink their most intimate beliefs”. Leonardo Cano also published in Candaya ‘La edad media’ (2016), “three stories traversed in time, crossed by fear, humor and the tragedy of thwarted ambitions.”
Murcian artist Tatiana Abellán also illustrated one of Candaya’s covers, “How Many Things Have We Seen Disappear”, by Miguel Serrano Larraz, a novel about illusions lost and a city disappearing, about the possibility of changing the past.
Robles, creator of the Spanish American literature portal Sololiteratura.com, invited many Latin American authors who published in Candaya to discover the region of Murcia. He went around the peninsula a thousand times to meet all the friends he left behind along the way, and whom he always kept in suspense with his news. The bookshops Libros Traperos in Murcia and La Montaña Mágica in Cartagena were two of his favorite places for presentations, which used to be veritable celebrations of literature. Authors such as Eduardo Ruiz Sosa, Daniela Alcívar, Patricia Almarcegui, David Toscana, Jesús García Cívico, Fernanda García Lao, Luis Rodríguez or Álex Chico, among others, passed by here, by his hand and Olga Martínez.
“What will remain forever is everything he did for Spanish and Latin American literature at the head of Candaya,” Diego Sánchez Aguilar recalled on his social networks on Tuesday. “That will be his public legacy. However, what remains here, for those of us lucky enough to know him, is the immense hole left by that generous smile he always offered. Paco was joy, calmness and good humor. He radiated that goodness of the sages who have understood life, with his gesture between Buddhist and ironic. Paco loved literature, but above all people, places and pleasures. I will always remember when I go to Busquets, the cafeteria in Cabo de Palos where he loved to have breakfast when the Candaya tours brought him closer to my city».
Javier Moreno, for his part, laments his death in the following terms: «Today is a sad, fateful day (…). He was an affable man, a reader of immense judgment, devoted body and soul to literature. I will never thank Paco (and Olga) enough for opening the doors of the publishing house to me, first with ‘Click’, then ‘Null Island’ and finally with ‘Magnificent Desolation’. Today was the day designated by the distributor for the release of ‘Magnificent Desolation’. Irony of fate. Perhaps my book is the last he edited. My personal memory of this book will always be attached to it, for better or for worse. My desolation has many attributes. My condolences to the entire Candaya family, to Olga, to Eduardo, to their children, to all the authors and readers of Candaya. You’ve done a lot for literature, in and out of this country, Paco. Thank you very much. Rest in peace”.
For Paco Paños, one of the most astute and attentive readers of all Candaya’s productions, the world of books and publishing is sadder than ever. “The terrible news of Paco Robles’ death touched us all last night. And those of us who, like myself, as a reader and friend, are part of the Candaya family, have a heavy heart and tears come uncontrollably. I cannot imagine a greater sadness today in the local Bóbila, 4 or in the house of Les Gunyoles ».
A LA VERDAD, in particular, always showed excessive affection, promptly sent every editorial novelty, and thanked every comment, no matter how small, about books and authors. Please serve this information as a thank you for all the facilities extended over the years and for so much love and respect for good stories.
Source: La Verdad
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