On this occasion, we interview Miguel Ruiz Montañez from Malaga, undoubtedly one of the most versatile figures in the sector, as he combines the general management of EMT Málaga and the presidency of Atuc, with his role as a professor, researcher, and writer of fascinating novels that grip you from the first page, such as the acclaimed titles: La Sangre de Colón, El Papa Mago, or El País de los Espíritus, among his other works.
But what led this Engineer and Economics graduate to become a bestseller author? His passion for travel and his work at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo as a professor of Public and Business Management undoubtedly served as inspiration for his first novel, as it is in this place that a large part of the intricate plot of La Tumba de Colón unfolds, a success throughout Europe, America, and Asia, translated into twenty languages. Thanks to its narrative power, it remains a cult novel today, the best definition of a longseller.
After the popularity of his first novel, the man from Malaga has captivated readers with each release. Discover who is the hand behind successes like La Sangre de Colón.
Professor, writer, traveler, researcher… Who is Miguel Ruiz, really? And, above all, does he have time for everything?
A natural organizer, that must be it, given all those activities you mention I do. In reality, I consider myself a transport professional, that’s what I’ve always been, the rest are facets that help me be happy. I believe that if a manager doesn’t organize their personal life, they will have difficulty organizing their company. And deep down, every 4 or 5 years a book of mine is published, it’s not that big of a deal.
There are already 5 books published, starting with the one you began writing after one of your trips to Santo Domingo. What made you take the leap?
I’ve always been a great reader of novels, and on a trip to the Caribbean, a story occurred to me. I then had the courage to write it, I took that step that many people don’t dare to take, and I want to say something, I recommend everyone to take those kinds of steps. Moreover, I would have liked to have taken it sooner; if I had written these kinds of books at twenty, my life would probably have been different.
In 2020, your latest book, La sangre de Colón, was published. What can you tell us about this story?
Very happy with the result. I was lucky enough to publish it when statues of Columbus were being torn down all over the world. I entered the epicenter of a very interesting debate that has led to many people reading it, and furthermore, it has been translated into a dozen languages. Seeing your book translated into Chinese, Korean, Russian, Italian, German, etc… is amazing. It is perhaps the most complete novel I have written, the one that most captivates the reader, with a lot of intrigue, mystery, and action. The enigma it poses is simple: Why didn’t Columbus allow himself to be portrayed during his lifetime? Why don’t we know his face? There isn’t a single painting that shows the admiral; that is, the portraits we see today were made after his death, and by painters who didn’t know him.
Nowadays, what provides you with more inspiration in your daily life for writing, besides your travels? Is there a new book in the making?
It’s true that all my books refer to travels, to distant places. I’ll have to consider writing a novel set in Malaga, for example, sometime. Yes, I am finishing a new work, this time very different, nothing like anything before; I hope to surprise you.
You are also the manager of EMT Málaga. What can you tell us about your years of management? And about your achievements, milestones, or anecdotes that may have occurred?
Well, as manager of the urban bus company of Malaga, I have to say that it is supported by a team of very good professionals; I am only in charge of coordination. I believe we have done many things together, innovations that have later been applied in other companies, and in a way, we want to continue in this direction. I am also very happy with my presence in ATUC; my colleagues have elected me in recent years to preside over the association, and that is an honor and a pleasure. I hope to continue to live up to it for some time longer.
The Spanish passenger transport system is a benchmark in Europe, and this is due to the professionalism of transport operators and the rest of the sector. What is your opinion on the contribution of Spanish industry in this regard? What are the next challenges they should address?
The Spanish industry in the world of passenger transport has always been up to par. It is true that technology is advancing faster and faster, and we all must be attentive to keep pace. Today, for a company like mine, we can find everything we need from Spanish suppliers, and that is very positive. It is true that later, in public tenders, the result must be respected, but I think that together we must contribute to a strong national industry, for the benefit of all.
Regarding ATUC, we have seen the support provided to the new Financing Law. Has there been debate?
The Financing Law, which has been approved by the Council of Ministers within the Mobility Law, has been an ATUC initiative for more than ten years. At the time, we identified that need, one of the major shortcomings compared to Europe, and since then we have not stopped; we have hired consultancies, held conferences, and met with political parties. I myself have had the opportunity to participate in several commissions of the Congress of Deputies. All these actions have led to us having a Law now in the final debate phase. In the coming months, it will reach Congress, and there it will have the necessary debate; right now, it is in the allegations phase. When it is finally approved, it will be a great achievement for ATUC, and for the entire sector, including the industry.
And finally, do you have any other hobbies that complement your professional or personal life? How are you able to cultivate them day by day?
Well, I do some sports, of course. I also like cinema, music, and as mentioned before, traveling; that fascinates me. If I didn’t travel so much, I probably wouldn’t write novels.
Miguel Ruiz’s Balance
We want to thank Miguel Ruiz for his time and for the opportunity to grant us this interview for the Castrosua blog, in which he shows us the importance of balancing work life with personal hobbies and invites us to embark on projects that are enriching for oneself, as writing his novels and exciting stories are for him, among many other things.
Miguel makes it clear to us that where there’s a will, there’s a way, as long as you do it in an organized manner and are capable of finding balance in a life full of professional development and personal interests. Thank you, Miguel, for your dedication and, of course, for your contribution to the development of collective mobility!
