Illustrator Laia Baldevey delved into the world of fairytale villains during a lecture this Thursday at the Marià Vayreda Library in Olot. Characters such as the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood, Count Arnau and Darth Vader are arguably as intriguing, if not more so, than the heroes of the tales in which they feature. While the heroes embody goodness and morality, the villains represent human passions, fears and the prejudices inherent in the societies that created them.

The audience was introduced to the origins of these archetypal figures and followed their evolution from the tales of Perrault to contemporary times. What are the most prevalent villains in Catalan popular culture? How are these archetypes formed, and how should they be presented to children? These were among the questions Baldevey addressed.

Laia Baldevey, from Sant Vicenç de Montalt, is renowned for her illustrations of fantastical creatures, fairy tales and Catalan legends. She has also created artworks for various fantasy literature publishers, musical groups and other platforms.

From 1 to 11 October, she is participating at the Faberllull Residency in Olot, a residency for Catalan illustrators aimed at fostering collaborations with international publishers. Baldevey is currently illustrating a project for the Italian publisher Camelozampa, focusing on the antagonists in Perrault’s classic fairy tales.