December 29

García de Silva Figueroa was born in 1550 and served the Spanish crown as an ambassador to the Safavid Empire. He undertook one of the earliest European diplomatic missions to Persia, providing detailed accounts of its culture, politics, and architecture. His travels took him across the Middle East, where he observed and recorded monuments, customs, and natural phenomena. Figueroa’s manuscripts and maps enriched European knowledge of Asia and influenced subsequent explorers. He returned to Spain with rare artifacts and preserved manuscripts that became valuable to scholars. He died in 1624, leaving behind writings that remain critical sources for historians of early modern Persia.

Born in 1982, Julia Wertz gained recognition for her autobiographical comics that blend humor and introspection. Her work has appeared in publications like The New Yorker and Narratively. She also explores abandoned and overlooked urban spaces, documenting them through writing and photography. Wertz’s graphic memoir 'Druthers' was praised for its candid storytelling and wit. She continues to publish comics, essays, and guidebooks that inspire readers to seek adventure in everyday surroundings.