Vicente Blasco Ibáñez’s trip to Argentina: business and culture

Abstract

In May of 1909, after several previous attempts, Vicente Blasco Ibáñez travelled to America with a clear goal: To increase the sales of his literary works in that continent. Although he eventually visited a few different countries, he chose Argentina with the purpose of undertaking a personal project leading to his book Argentina y sus grandezas. The moment could not be more favourable: Argentina was preparing the celebration of the 1st centenary of her independence. Well aware of the relevance of his trip, a few months before visiting the country Blasco Ibáñez –already a well-known author there– had made contact with several outstanding members of the Spanish community and also with Argentinean politicians and intellectuals. This essay analyses the result of all this.

Keywords

• argentina
• argentina y sus grandezas
• vicente blasco ibáñez
• centenario
• emprendimiento cultural