It is with great sadness that we bid farewell today to Ángeles Alonso, editor and cultural manager who knew how to unite people and cultures with passion and sensitivity.
His life was dedicated to books, but also to the stories of those who write them. Each of her projects bore the stamp of care and dedication. For more than thirty years, Alonso promoted diverse literature from her role as co-founder of the publishing house Baile del Sol.
As president of the International African Book Fair, her enthusiasm opened doors and brought continents together, building bridges that transcended borders and languages. For those who worked alongside her, Ángeles was a guide and a friend, always ready to listen, to advise and to celebrate the achievements of others as her own.
Welcome Africa and numerous institutions express their grief and recognise the indelible mark he leaves on culture and the human relationships he cultivated. His memory will live on in every literary gathering, in every voice he helped to emerge, and in those of us who learned from his generosity and commitment.