Author Cecilia Domínguez Luis to Discuss 'El sepulcro vacío' at Cabildo Bookstore Book Club

Contemporary Canarian literature takes center stage this Wednesday at the Cabildo Bookstore, which will host its latest book club session at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature acclaimed author Cecilia Domínguez Luis, winner of the 2015 Canary Islands Prize for Literature. She will discuss her novel El sepulcro vacío (The Empty Sepulcher) in a conversation moderated by fellow writer Antonio López Ortega.

The discussion focuses on a novel published nearly a decade ago, inspired by a true story from La Orotava. The book centers on a mausoleum built for the Marquis of Quinta Roja—a structure that, despite its purpose, never actually held the aristocrat's remains. Using this historical event as a foundation, Domínguez Luis explores 19th-century island society, weaving in themes of Freemasonry and the complex dynamics of the era's prominent families.

Organized by the Department of Culture through the public company Ideco, these sessions play a vital role in supporting the archipelago’s cultural scene. By connecting readers directly with authors, the club encourages a deeper appreciation of literature, allowing attendees to explore the historical research and character development behind Domínguez Luis’s work.

For the author, who was born in La Orotava in 1948, the meeting offers a chance to discuss the balance between historical fact and creative storytelling. As a key figure in both poetry and prose, her work is essential for anyone looking to understand the evolution of regional literature and how Canarian identity is reflected through fiction.