Join us for a conversation with Luke Stegemann about his recently published book The Beautiful Obscure. Consuelo Martínez Reyes will lead the conversation with Luke, which will be followed by a Q&A.

This book conversation is free and open to the public.

For centuries a cornerstone of European political, religious and artistic heritage, Spain’s influence on the history and cultural formation of Australia has long been neglected.

As so often happens, the most fascinating stories lie hidden below the surface and beyond the easy clichés. In The Beautiful Obscure, Luke Stegemann draws on his more than 30 years living between Australia and Spain to explore forgotten episodes, characters and links between our two countries. He reveals not just an intriguing take on Australian history, but also his own story of profound personal transformation.

A powerful work that introduces the reader to an extraordinary array of characters and events, The Beautiful Obscure is a deeply personal, stylish and compelling new work of literary non-fiction.

Luke Stegemann was born in Brisbane and raised in Queensland, southern New South Wales and the A.C.T. He has spent his adult life living between Australia and Spain, working in media, publishing and higher education. He was formerly the managing editor of The Adelaide Review and the founding editor of The Melbourne Review. He has written widely on Spanish art, history, culture and politics, and now lives and works in rural south-east Queensland.

Consuelo Martínez Reyes is a Lecturer in Spanish Studies at ANU.