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The Camilo José Cela University (UCJC) hosted the presentation of Se acabó el divagar (“No More Rambling”), a new book by writer and professor Tomás Cavanna. Held at the Castellana campus, the event paid tribute to the literary legacy and humanist spirit of Nobel Laureate Camilo José Cela, the university’s honorary founder and guiding inspiration.
The event opened with remarks from UCJC’s rector, Jaime Olmedo, who offered a profound reflection on literature as a vital necessity and an act of moral conscience. Quoting Cela, he noted that “literature is not a means to an end, but an end in itself,” highlighting the role of the writer as a witness to the spirit of their time.
Rector Olmedo also emphasized Cela’s deeply innovative nature: “He was a writer who never repeated a formula. Every time the world finished reading him, he was already writing something new.” He added that this constant drive to renew and rethink is precisely what defines the university: “Camilo José Cela never settled for what he had already done. He always looked ahead. That bold, transformative spirit is what continues to guide our university today.”
Tomás Cavanna, who served as Managing Director of the Camilo José Cela Foundation, shared powerful personal anecdotes from his years working alongside the writer. His book offers a unique and insightful portrait of Cela as a human being and creator—brilliant, complex, and uncompromising. Subtitled Notes on the Memories, Understandings and Wills of Camilo José Cela, 30 Years Later, the work combines firsthand knowledge with literary reflection, providing both historical and emotional depth.
Also present at the event were notable figures from the academic and literary world, including Marina Castaño, Alfredo Conde, and Professor Adolfo Sotelo, Director of the Camilo José Cela Chair in Hispanic Studies. Mónica González, editor at Narcea Ediciones, praised the book for its intimate tone and its ability to bring readers closer to “the most authentic, committed, and universal side of Cela.”
As part of the celebrations marking UCJC’s 25th anniversary, the book presentation reaffirmed the university’s humanist mission and its commitment to culture, education, and innovation.
The event concluded with remarks by Nieves Segovia, President of SEK Educational Institution, who reflected: “Camilo José Cela taught us that the university should be the last stronghold of freedom. Today, more than ever, we honour that idea by promoting education rooted in language, critical thought, and a commitment to culture. This book does not simply evoke the writer—it inspires us to look forward.”
