The Cultural Life of the Ibérico Pig
© cortesía Blanca Valencia
The Instituto Cervantes invites you to this talk that explores the Ibérico pig as more than just a soughtafter delicacy: a cultural icon deeply rooted in Spain’s history, landscape, and identity. From the ancient dehesa pastures to the ritual of the matanza and the art of curing jamón, the Ibérico pig has shaped television advertising, gastronomic expressions, and even literature and visual art. The food writer, event curator, and culinary storyteller, Blanca Valencia, will delve into the unique breed, its role in communal practices, and its transformation into one of the world’s most celebrated foods. To finish, Fidel Antón, the ham carver behind the Iberian Ham Sensation brand, will do an introduction and life demonstration of ham carving.
Blanca Valencia is a food writer, event curator, and culinary storyteller with a passion for exploring the intersections of culture, art, and gastronomy. She writes The Gazpacho Chronicles, a Substack dedicated to the quirks, rituals, and hidden histories of Spanish food culture, with equal parts insight and irreverence. Blanca has collaborated with some of Spain’s top producers and cooking schools, and she regularly curates events for a range of customers from the National Gallery of Ireland to China Sichuan. Her work brings humor, warmth, and a sharp eye for detail to the world of food. Blanca is the winner of two Irish Food Writing Awards for her podcast Spicebags 2019-2023) along with her co-hosts Dee Laffan and Mei Chin. Her work has been featured in multiple publications across Ireland.
European Culture Trail
This event is part of the European Culture Trail – a EUNIC Ireland (European Union National Institutes for Culture) in cooperation with the European Commission Representation in Ireland.
For those visiting European Culture Trail events in person, download the passport from the provided link and collect stamps at each stop. You can win some wonderful prizes!
