Description
Seven Days in the Seven Streets
Book Summary
This book offers a unique tour through the historic heart of Bilbao. Painter Pablo Gallo set out to walk for seven days, one for each of the "Seven Streets" (Siete Calles) that gave birth to the town, and record everything he saw. The result is an unusual journey through the "intrahistory" of the city, from its origins to the present day. Through brief texts and furtive drawings, the author reveals the hidden layers of information that make up Bilbao's collective memory, focusing on anecdotes and little-known aspects that have shaped its people.
What is it about?
Inspired by the method of writer Georges Perec, Pablo Gallo undertook an urban journey of seven days in March 2018. He dedicated each day to walking one of the foundational streets of Bilbao, meticulously noting everything he observed during his strolls. Following this immersion, he retreated to his studio to transform those impressions into a work that weaves the chronicle of the everyday with grand history. The book is not a typical guide, but rather an exercise in the deconstruction of urban space that invites us to look at the place we inhabit with new eyes. Through its pages, the reader discovers how the past and present dialogue on every corner, revealing the "intrahistory" that Unamuno defined as the true substance of a people.
Main themes
- Intrahistory of Bilbao: exploration of daily life and the small stories that build the city's identity.
- Perecquian method: application of the technique of observation and exhaustive recording of reality to capture the essence of a place.
- Urban memory: analysis of how historical layers remain hidden beneath the surface of the modern city.
- Relationship between art and city: the walk as a creative act and a tool for understanding the environment.
- Local identity: reflection on the character of the people of Bilbao through their anecdotes and traditions.
Who is it recommended for?
It is aimed at readers interested in the local history of Bilbao, as well as those seeking a literary and personal take on urban space. It will also be attractive to fans of travel literature, creative essays, and artistic approaches to the city. It is an ideal work for those who wish to know Bilbao beyond conventional tourist circuits and for lovers of books that combine text and illustration.
What this book offers
- An original and artistic perspective on the history of Bilbao, far from official narratives.
- A method of observation applicable to any city, inviting the reader to rediscover their own surroundings.
- Anecdotes and little-known facts that enrich the understanding of Bilbao's identity.
- A visual and textual reading experience, thanks to the furtive drawings that accompany the texts.
Technical specifications
- Author: Pablo Gallo
- Publisher: El Gallo de Oro
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Literary essays, Historical mysteries, Society and culture: general, Bilbao local history, Travel literature
- Collection: Ser de Bilbao
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication date: October 2018
- Number of pages: 155
- Weight: 445 g
Editorial review
This is an original proposal that combines the sensitivity of a visual artist with the rigor of an urban observer. The book manages to bridge the gap between documented history and the subjective experience of the wanderer, offering an enjoyable and revealing read. Its approach, inspired by the literary tradition of the *dérive* and meticulous observation, makes it a unique work within the landscape of books about cities. Recommended for those looking for a different approach to Bilbao, in which everyday detail becomes a gateway to collective memory.