Last Tuesday, the Assembly Hall of the European University of the Atlantic (UNEATLANTICO) was the setting for the presentation of the book “The Naked Salamander” by the writer and teacher of UNEATLANTICO, Yves Diaz de Villegas.
The event, which attracted a large number of students, academics from the degree in Business Administration and Management (ADE) and the degrees in Audiovisual Communication (CA), Journalism (PER) and Advertising and Public Relations (PRP) and literature enthusiasts, began by exploring the negotiation processes in China, Japan and Vietnam, key themes that the author explores in his work.
During the presentation, Dr. de Villegas shared with the audience his experience of five years working in Asia, highlighting the cultural and economic diversity of countries such as China, Japan and Vietnam. In his presentation, he emphasized the differences in the negotiation processes between countries, stressing the importance of understanding cultural particularities in order to reach successful agreements.
The meeting included a question-and-answer session conducted by UNEATLANTICO’s Vice Rector for Academic Planning and Faculty, Dr. Silvia Aparicio, where there was an opportunity to delve into various aspects of the book and the author’s career. One of the topics discussed was the inspiration behind the work, where Dr. de Villegas explained his fascination for Japanese culture, reflected in the scenarios and detailed descriptions present in his narrative.
Another interesting aspect was the inclusion of traditional Japanese elements and customs. The author mentioned the presence of sento (public baths), onsen (hot springs) and other cultural elements such as tebori, the traditional yakuza tattoo, and arranged marriages. He also discussed how the notion of respect and harmony, so ingrained in Japanese society, is intrinsically interwoven into the interactions of his characters and the overall plot of the novel.
In addition, Dr. de Villegas compared the economic dynamics of China and Japan, highlighting the differences in their approaches to innovation and tradition, resulting in a fascinating analysis of Asia’s most booming economies.
Dr. de Villegas’ professional evolution was also a topic of interest, from his beginnings as a civil engineer to his foray into academia and business, culminating in his career as a writer. He commented on his creative process, the challenges of facing the blank page and his opinion on the use of artificial intelligence in literature, stressing that, in his case, he prefers to draw on personal experiences and imagination to nurture his writing.
Finally, Dr. de Villegas encouraged the audience to read “The Naked Salamander”, noting that his work not only offers a detailed view of Asian cultures, but also invites reflection on the complexity of international negotiations and the value of cultural understanding.
The event was a success, consolidating the Universidad Europea del Atlántico as a space for high-level cultural and academic exchange.
New imprint of Editorial Planeta, NdeNovela
It should be noted that the publication of “La Salamandra Desnuda” is part of Editorial Planeta’s imprint, NdeNovela. Díaz de Villegas is part of a select group of eight writers who have published in this new imprint of the publishing house.
As Belén López Celada, editorial director of the imprint, comments: “NdeNovela will not be pigeonholed in any genre, but will house stories of various types, from thrillers to novels of feelings and historical novels. Its goal is to become a benchmark in the creation of literary brands in the coming years, and to achieve this, it is committed to new names, new talents and, of course, new readers”.