Book Day: Cultural Celebration in the Gran Hotel Inglés
Since its opening in 1853, the Gran Hotel Inglés has always been characterised as one of the nerve centres of Madrid's social and cultural life and a meeting place for writers of the stature of Valle Inclán and Galdós, who found inspiration for their writing at its tables. Now, this luxury hotel, which belongs to Leading Hotels of the World, joins the celebrations for the celebration of "The Night of Books" on 22 April, a day that commemorates the death of three geniuses of universal literature such as Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare and Garcilaso de la Vega.
For that day, this 5-star boutique hotel located in the heart of the Barrio de las letras, close to the art triangle, will host a private lunch-talk organised by the booksellers' association of "La Cuesta de Moyano" where a large number of great contemporary writers will gather around the table to talk about literature. All of them will taste a special menu for the occasion designed by the chef Fernando P. Arellano and enjoy a pleasant after-dinner conversation in the same place where many years ago other great writers such as Clarín, Valle-Inclán or Galdós, as well as international writers such as Virginia Woolf, met to comment on current social issues and to be inspired.
On the evening of the 22nd, at 19:00, at Casa Lobo, the restaurant of the GRAN HOTEL INGLÉS, there will be a public presentation of Raquel Orejudo's first book entitled "Las Esperanzas". Orejudo (Salamanca, 1970) tells in this novel published by Círculo Rojo the story of Laura, a girl who moves to Madrid after finishing university to start working and begin a new life with her partner in which the events they will experience will change the way they see life.
Cocktails with a literary flavour
To complete this programme, on the nights of 22-24 April -coinciding with the celebration of La Noche de los Libros in Madrid- LobByto, the cocktail bar of this luxury hotel located in the centre of Madrid, which offers Spa services and large and unique luxury suites, will also join this celebration of literature. It will do so by serving cocktails designed for the occasion and inspired by the writers who have passed through the hotel throughout its history. These are:
Hemingway Daiquiri. This version of the popular cocktail is inspired by Hemingway's own recipe. Contains: 60 ml White Rum, 30 ml Grapefruit Juice, 15 ml Lime Juice, 1 Barspoon Maraschino Liqueur and 1 Barspoon Sugar, resulting in a less sweet drink, as the writer suffered from diabetes and could not afford large amounts of sweetener.
Lorca's Espresso. It is well known that Federico García Lorca was a whisky and coffee lover and for this reason LobByto presents its own Espresso recipe in homage to the poet from Granada with: 22 ml Espresso Coffee Liqueur, 45 ml Passion Fruit, 45 ml Irish Whisky and 15 ml Cinnamon Syrup.
Virginia Woolf Adonis. The famous British author, who stayed at this hotel on her trips to Madrid, was a wine lover. So, to commemorate Book Day, the cocktail bar of the Gran Hotel Inglés has recreated this light cocktail to be enjoyed as a glass of wine: 60 ml Amontillado wine, 30 ml Sweet Vermouth and 2 Dash Orange Bitter.
