Radio and literature II. Interview with the announcer Paco de León

Paco de León is one of the most recognizable and recognized voices on Spanish radio. And I have the pleasure of meeting him, as well as the privilege of having chatted with him on that radio a couple of times, experiences that I treasure with affection and admiration. So I owed him this interview, which in the written medium is not the same as looking face to face in front of a microphone. It also serves for thank you for the deference and the time spent to answer these questions about his relationship with literature in the waves.

Paco de Leon

As often happens with radio announcers, perhaps the face of Paco de León is not well known, but it is not possible that there is someone who does not recognize your voice. We have heard it not only in countless programs, but also in a multitude of commercials and, above all, in documentaries.

Arenense of proIt is possible that that air of the Sierra de Gredos, which goes down to Arenas de San Pedro and sneaks through the stones of the centenary castle of the Triste Condesa, polished the tone so particular to those vocal cords. With a long trajectory professional, milestone of awards toonow directs and presents From zero to infinity, in Onda Cero, scientific and cultural outreach program.

I met Paco about three years ago and in a peculiar way: listening to your previous program, Madrid on the Wave, and correcting linguistic errors typical of the live show that they thanked me at the same time. From there, I invited him and his team to the presentation of my first published novel. It couldn't be, but he had the deference to read it to him and invite me to his program. The rest, as they say, is history.

Now you have seen fit to answer me at length to these questions. Thank you.

Interview with Paco de León

• ACTUALIDAD LITERATURA: As a reader, do you have a favorite genre of literature? And can you remember the first book you read?

PACO DE LEÓN: I have no clear gender preference, although I am fascinated by the crime novel, historical and scientific essays. However, well narrated books and descriptive tends to hook me easily. By the way love novels, with a lot of "pasteleo" and a certain tacky touch I can devour them. Nobody is perfect.

The first book I am aware of was one of The fiveby Enid Blyton. I don't remember which one because I read the entire collection.

• AL: Any title or titles in particular that have made a big impact on you? Why?

PDL: One Hundred Years of Solitude It is, without a doubt, the title that I remember as the most impressive in my reading life. It gave me a veritable "symphony" of sensations. The first time i read it, being very young, hypnotized me completely. That mixture of rare story with so much character and surprising in each chapter was for me a real adventure that I enjoyed very much.

The second reading, years later, made me discover one of the greatest writers in history and strengthen the idea that I could never become the author of a book, since I would be eternally ashamed not to be able to write a single line as García Márquez did.

• AL: Who is your favorite writer? You can choose more than one and from all eras.

PDL: I find it very difficult to choose a writer like the one I like the most. It seems even unfair to me, it's like choosing the best song. There are so many and so good! But in order not to avoid your question, I will tell you that, in addition to the classics, which are a must-read, I would choose several authors as some of my favorites: Tom Wolf, the aforementioned García Márquez, Delibes, Truman Capote and Pérez-Reverte. Of the latter I highlight Drum skin. 

• AL: What character in a book would you have liked to interview and why?

PDL: Here I have no doubts. I would have liked to interview to much literary characters, but the most Alonso quijano. I think Don Quixote is the essence of human beingIt is the best possible definition of man because practically everything is reflected in him, the good and the bad of people. Obsessions, good feelings, heroics, weaknesses, fears, overcoming, trying, love ... 

It seems incredible that a character created centuries ago remains in force todayPerhaps it is because, as I have always thought, Don Quixote was a little crazy, he was simply a free soul and a guy who put the intention of achieving his dreams before anything else, and that is enviable for me.

Can you imagine the Knight of the Sad Figure before Covid 19? How would you ride your spear against the damn coronavirus? Or perhaps he would mount his spear against politicians? I want to chat with him on a microphone.

• AL: Do you have any particular hobby when it comes to reading?

PDL: I'm not overly maniac in my life, rather I'm a little bit of ritualsPerhaps because I was born anarchic and quite disorderly in everything; yes, in my disorder there is order, ha, ha, ha! an order that only I understand. What I can not stand when read es a book with crumpled sheets.

AL: In your long career on the radio, what would you highlight about your experience in a literary program, for example, of dramatizations as an actor?

PDL: Well, I would highlight one poetry section that I had many years ago on a weekend program what he was doing back then It was very enriching and very beautiful to carry out.

Afterwards I had the opportunity to dramatize many texts for radio and television working alongside great voice actors. That is a facet that It captivates me, although each time it becomes less and worse. Dramatization is expensive and now everything tends to be cheaper, quality already counts for little and is often confused with well-known names. Big mistake. I have so much respect and affection for this type of work, which years ago they pampered each other until they achieved excellence, that when I now start to listen to any of these attempts, I end up changing the dial.

Only the actors and specialized announcers are capable of doing good dramatizations and to these we must add a good director, a good technical director, a good musical editor and a good special effects technician. All these essential figures have disappeared in today's radio and things are done anyway. A shame.

Personally I prefer something we did years ago through the Radio Academy: a Live dramatization at the Mira de Pozuelo de Alarcón Theater where we join all the radio stations in Spain to stage War of the Worlds, by HG Wells, in the version of Orson Welles. The technical means were carried out by RNE and that was noticed. El <strong>success</strong> it was such that louis del elm He wanted us to take the show to his Ponferrada and there too we fill the theater.

• AL: Maybe they are countless, but can you highlight an interview or literary anecdote or with a writer?

PDL: It is true that I could count many anecdotes with writers whom I have been lucky enough to interview, but I will leave it in two:

The first with Anthony Gala. He had just edited a book of poetry and it occurred to me to tell him that after many years he decided to "Wink" at poetry. Don Antonio, visibly angry, answered or rather blurted out that a wink was made to a woman, but never to poetry. And he was right, although I do not know. And today that answer would not have received good reviews for being macho.

The other has to do with Cela. When they had just announced that they had Nobel I ordered my production team to put it on the phone for me. And my team got it, but having it on the air I came to doubt that it was Don Camilo who was speaking, such was the kindness and the tone of tenderness with whom he spoke. There I realized that Don Camilo he was getting older, LOL!

AL: And finally, you have done radio programs of all kinds: informative, cultural, science, social gatherings. What do you have left or what would you like?

PDL: I have to admit that I have been very fortunate professionally because I've done almost everything on radio. I have no idea what I have to do. After so many years I only aspire to being able to stay close to a bus doing a program until the day comes when I see clearly that it is best to leave it because the "gasoline" has run out, when I notice that I no longer feel illusion or that the faculties are disappearing or when the audience gets fed up with me. 

What I do know is what I would like to do at least once in my life: narrate a soccer game of my Real Madrid and to be able to sing the winning goal. It is complicated because I do not have that talent, but when I am about to retire I will ask my sports colleagues as a farewell gift, even if it is in training, ha ha ha!