Dragons, the quintessential of fantastic beings, are already flying over to the fourth edition of 42, the Barcelona Fantasy Genre Festival, which, from 6 to 10 November 2024, will be filling the Fabra i Coats factory with winged, powerful creatures from myths, legends, YA literature, science fiction, illustrations and video games. In honour of the Chinese Year of the Dragon, this year’s festival will celebrate that Barcelona is known as Drakcelona, that for the Sant Jordi holiday, we dance with the beast, and that we enjoy its presence in many of the literary hits of the season. Dragons aren’t coming to 42; they’re returning. They’ve always been here.

As J.R.R. Tolkien once said, a dragon can be a metaphor, but it’s often a pleasure, an aesthetic category, a celebration of the genre, and one of the best ways to let talent and imagination soar. That’s why this fourth edition will feature dragons, both physical and literary, widely known and completely unknown, linked to today’s world and deeply rooted in our past. And not just fantasy dragons, but dragons from the worlds of archaeology and technology, dragons championing social and environmental causes, dragons who will warn us, dragons who will make us laugh, dragons who will terrify us... In short, even if you don’t consider yourself a dragon person, there’s a dragon for everyone here. Dragons will roam the Festival’s panel discussions, conversations, talks and presentations.

And they won’t be alone. As always, the 42 Festival seeks to cover all sub-genres and related media, and thus, the 2024 edition is no exception, with themes including water, popular science, YA literature, folk horror, recommendations on social media, the tradition of the genre and current trends, all led by over a hundred local and international authors who have already confirmed attendance.

As you’ll see in the preliminary schedule, there will be opening and closing events, tributes and anniversary celebrations, tours, hands-on activities, workshops and talks, panels led by world-renowned figures, podcasts, theatre, book signings, events for secondary schools, stand-up comedy, the prize ceremony for the 42 Awards...

Like dragons, we’ll take flight through reading and re-reading, we’ll fight with ideas, and we’ll spark the flame of writing, creativity and crafts. It’s time to get fired up for the 2024 edition, and we’re already busy working to get everything ready.

Mark your calendars: 6 to 10 November, in Barcelona. Yes, other worlds exist, and all of them will take flight at the 42 Festival. Will you come along for the ride?