Violeta Gil Champions Slow Reading with Immersive 'Anatomy of a Library' Performance

In an age of instant digital content and short attention spans, writer and playwright Violeta Gil (born 1983) is championing the value of slowing down. On April 23, to mark International Book Day, the Segovia-born author will present her project, Anatomy of a Library, at the La Laguna Municipal Library in Tenerife. The performance aims to push the boundaries of traditional reading by blending various artistic disciplines.

The project combines poetry, music, and live performance, moving away from a standard book reading to create an immersive experience where text and sound intertwine. This approach reflects Gil’s background in collective creation, particularly her work with the theater company La Tristura. For Gil, art is not just a mix of different skills, but a single expressive impulse that flows across various formats, blurring the lines between individual and collaborative work.

Looking at her creative journey—from her 2019 poetry collection, Before You Throw My Things Away, to her latest book, We Were Marveling (2025)—it is clear that Gil is constantly searching for new ways to communicate. Her Tenerife performance acts as a bridge between the written word and sound, creating a unique sensory experience. This is more than just an aesthetic choice; it is a political one. In a world of information overload, Gil uses sustained attention as a form of resistance against the pressure to move quickly.

By collaborating with artists like musician Marcos Nadie and filmmaker Elena López Riera, Gil emphasizes the importance of shared spaces. The event at the La Laguna Municipal Library invites the audience to experience language together, with listening at the heart of the performance. Through this project, Gil hopes to offer a moment of reflection, encouraging spectators to reconnect with the physical side of poetry and celebrate the simple power of wonder.