Alfaguara Award Celebrates its 60-Year Legacy with a Riveting new Novel

No time to read?
Get a summary

The XXVII Alfaguara Award was awarded to a novel titled Germans, a work that blends the tensions of the First World War with the evolution of Spanish history and the shifts around Nazism. The jury spokesperson described the work as a compelling tale that probes the moral choices of its characters while inviting readers to examine their own responses.

The prize was revealed at a luncheon marking a relocation of the prize’s traditional headquarters—from the Madrid Casino to the Círculo de Bellas Artes—an event that added a note of renewal to the familiar celebration.

This edition of the prize aligns with the 60th anniversary of the publishing house founded by a Nobel laureate, an imprint that has become influential across generations. It has long served as a bridge for Spanish-language literature across the Atlantic, fostering connections between readers on both sides of the ocean.

The jury for this edition featured prominent authors, including Sergio Ramírez, Juan José Millás, Rosa Montero, Manuel Rivas, and Laura Restrepo, along with Alfaguara’s editor-in-chief Pilar Reyes, who participated without voting. Both Ramírez and Restrepo had previously earned the prize in different years, underscoring the panel’s seasoned perspective.

The publishing house reported a robust response to the call, with a total of 800 manuscript submissions. Submissions originated from numerous countries, with a notable share from Spain, followed by Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, the United States, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. The award includes a monetary prize of 175,000 dollars, a sculpture by Martín Chirino, and a broadcast across Spanish-speaking regions.

The winning novel is anticipated to reach bookstores by late spring, ready to engage readers with its historical scope and lyrical storytelling.

No time to read?
Get a summary
Previous Article

Paris Officials Explain 2024 Olympic Readiness and Eligibility Rules

Next Article

2nm chips and the next leap in silicon performance explained