The essence of the “malavida” and its impact on the festival
BCNegra 2026 closed its 21st edition with a resounding success, consolidating its role as a leader of contemporary noir in Europe. Under the slogan “Malavida”, the festival focused on exploring lives full of intensity, surprises and challenges against social conventions and the imposed order. This literary gathering not only brought together almost 10,000 people in fifty different activities, but also reaffirmed Barcelona as the cultural capital of noir lovers. The festival, curated by Carlos Zanón and organized by the Institute of Culture of Barcelona (ICUB), offered a platform to question the current mechanisms of power and delve into the darkest areas of the human condition, all from the criminal narrative.
Barcelona, the perfect setting for noir
Over the course of a week, from February 2 to 8, Barcelona was transformed into a cultural epicenter. Iconic spaces such as Sala Paral-lel 62, La Paloma, and the Saló de Cent at Barcelona City Hall hosted literary discussions, concerts and round tables with some of the most relevant names in the genre. Xavier Marcé, Councilor for Culture, highlighted the importance of BCNegra as the most important free crime novel festival in Europe, underlining its crucial role in bringing literature to all citizens and fostering a key meeting point for authors, publishers and industry professionals.
Carlos Zanón, at the head of the festival, celebrated the maturity and evolution of the audience, noting the notable presence of younger generations who are increasingly participating. This youthful enthusiasm ensures that the festival continues to grow, offering a place where noir is explored from different perspectives.
A celebration of global literary talent
More than 120 professionals from the literary field attended BCNegra 2026, including authors, moderators, and other cultural agents. Personalities such as Claudia Piñeiro, Dominique Manotti, and Mick Herron illuminated the event. The programming combined international talent with local voices, fusing tradition and renewal to offer a varied program that included talks, screenings, and cultural experiments.
BCNegra 2026 presented 42 official activities and 8 parallel proposals, reinforcing the multidisciplinary character of the festival. Highlights included the concert “Errori e bassifondi” by Vinicio Capossela and the exhibition “Malavida. Cine noir en Barcelona 1950-1988” at the Jaume Fuster Library. In addition, activities such as the Mossos d’Esquadra’s operational demonstration, which left the public fascinated, offered a unique look at police work.
Mick Herron and his recognition with the Pepe Carvalho Award
The festival awarded the prestigious Pepe Carvalho Prize to British novelist Mick Herron, author of the “Slow Horses” series. This award, one of the most prestigious noir awards in Europe, recognizes his significant contribution to thrillers and espionage novels. The award ceremony, held at the Saló de Cent, was one of the most anticipated moments of the festival.
Herron’s subsequent conversation at the Mooby Bosque Cinema, followed by the screening of episodes from his “Slow Horses” series, attracted a large audience, confirming the interest in his work and the captivating narrative it offers.
A festival that points to the future of noir
BCNegra 2026 not only celebrated the present of the genre, but also laid the foundations for its future. The festival continues to be a meeting point where noir takes on new perspectives, broadening its horizons and challenging authors and readers to explore the unknown. The presence of young and diverse voices guarantees that BCNegra will maintain its relevance and continue to be an indisputable cultural reference.
Looking ahead, Barcelona and its noir festival promise to remain the beating heart of noir in Europe, celebrating stories that invite you to look beyond the surface and question reality in search of truth.
