Irvine Welsh to participate in Athletic Club’s 2026 ‘Letters & Football’ Festival
Irvine Welsh to participate in Athletic Club’s 2026 ‘Letters & Football’ Festival
The acclaimed Scottish novelist joins a stellar line-up for this year’s literature festival, which will take place from May 26 to 30
‘Trainspotting’ author Irvine Welsh will be one of the key speakers at this year’s edition of the Athletic Club Foundation’s literature and culture festival, ‘Letters & Football’.
Discussions about football and the arts will be held in the San Mames VIP Area’s East Hall every evening at 19:00 CEST from Tuesday May 26 until Saturday May 30.
The Scottish writer will take part in a chat with local novelist Amets Arzallus on Friday May 29.
Completing the festival’s line-up are other figures from the worlds of art, literature and culture, such as: Enrique Vila-Matas, David Trueba, Marta San Miguel, Paco Gómez, Aitor Lagunas, Lander Otaola, Javier Aznar, Diego Ibáñez and Óscar López.
What’s more, this year’s festival will feature the presentation of a new book published by the Athletic Club Foundation, entitled ‘Boise’, a Basque-language work written by Nerea Ibarzabal, Xabi Paya and Onintza Enbeita.
As is Athletic Club Fundazioa’s style, the programme combines the prominence of the guest speakers with socially-relevant topics proposed by the organisation’s team and its director, Galder Reguera.
Entry to the festival will be free and on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached.
The San Mamés VIP Area's East Hall can be accessed will via Gate 14.
Tuesday 26, 19:00. Enrique Vila-Matas, Paco Gómez and Marta San Miguel
Enrique Vila-Matas (Barcelona, 1948) is one of the most renowned contemporary writers in the Spanish-speaking world. His work is characterised by a blend of fiction, essays and literary reflection, with frequent references to other authors and to the act of writing itself.
Enrique will discuss the power of images in football alongside the esteemed photographer Paco Gómez and novelist Marta San Miguel.
Wednesday 27, 11:00. “Boise” book release in collaboration with educational centres. Nerea Ibarzabal, Xabi Paya and Onintza Enbeita
'Boise', written by Nerea Ibarzabal, Xabi Paya and Onintza Enbeita, this is Athletic Club Foundation’s latest publication, produced in collaboration with the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, for free distribution in schools and educational centres.
The book is a work of fiction comprising three stories exploring the themes of diaspora, female identity and Athletic Club, inspired by the experiences of an Athletic Club Women's youth team that travelled to Idaho for Boise' Basque festival in 2025.
Wednesday 27, 19:00. Live podcast. ‘Brazalete Negro’ (Black Armband), with Aitor Lagunas and Lander Otaola
The 2020 and 2025 editions already featured live podcasts on topics specifically tailored to ‘Literature and Football’.
On this occasion, Aitor Lagunas, a renowned journalist at Panenka and host of the ‘Brazalete Negro’ podcast, will be joined by the Athletic Club supporter and actor Lander Otaola. The episode will explore the curious case of the theft of the French Cup won by Nantes in 1979, which was robbed as a symbolic act to draw attention to the workers’ crisis in Longwy.
Thursday 28, 19:00. Diego Ibañez and Javier Aznar
Music and musicians always feature prominently in the ‘Letras y Fútbol’ programme. Diego Ibáñez, singer-songwriter with the Madrid-based band ‘Carolina Durante’, will be chat about football and music with presenter and writer Javier Aznar.
Friday 29, 19:00. Irvine Welsh and Amets Arzallus. Simultaneous English–Basque translation
The highlight of ‘Letras y Fútbol’ 2026 will take place on Friday 29 with the attendance of the celebrated Scottish writer Irvine Welsh (Edinburgh, 1958). The author of ‘Trainspotting’ – a work adapted for the cinema in 1996 – is world-renowned for the realistic and unmistakable way in which he portrays Scotland’s working class communities.
Irvine will be joined by novelist Amets Arzallus, whose book 'Miñan' - written in collaboration with its protagonist, Ibrahima Balde - has touched the hearts of readers all around the world, including the late Pope Francis.
Saturday 30, 19:00. David Trueba and Óscar López
David Trueba (Madrid, 1969), writer, film director, screenwriter, journalist… he is a long-standing friend of the Athletic Club Foundation’s cultural festivals. His humanism, critical insight, sense of humour, cultural knowledge and love of football make him the perfect guest for ‘Letters and Football’ and ‘Thinking Football’.
David will bring this year’s event to a close through a conversation with Óscar López, the acclaimed presenter of the television programme ‘Página Dos’ (Page Two), in which Oscar brings literature to the public in an engaging and accessible way.
‘Letters and Football’
‘Letters and Football’ is a cultural festival organised by the Athletic Club Foundation, with special sponsorship from the Melia Bilbao hotel and support from the Spanish Government’s Ministry of Culture and Sport.