Altea Honors Toni Mestre, A Pillar Of Valencian Media And Culture

The Altai-born journalist Toni Mestre, widely recognized as Antoni Beneyto Mestre, will be honored at the VII Altea Literature and Research Awards. The ceremony is set to take place at Palau Altea on Saturday, April 1. At this gala, Mestre will be posthumously awarded the Estela d’Honor Award as part of the 2023 Altea Awards. The recognition acknowledges a distinguished career and a life devoted to journalism and writing. Mestre, born on September 22, 1942, in Altea, passed away at age 63 from cancer in Valencia on July 28, 2006, as noted by the Cultural Council.

The mayor commented that this journalist, a pioneer of Valencia’s public radio, would receive the Estela d’Honor Award, a prize created to honor Altean authors or creators who have already passed away yet continue to leave a strong mark in literature, art, or research while remaining vividly relevant.

VII Altea Literature and Research Awards drew 133 original entries

Serrat presented the trophy, a scaled-down reproduction of the Iberian funerary stele found at Altea la Vella. The artifact is preserved in the Altea Culture House and carries triple symbolism: History, Cultural Heritage, and Human Memory, serving as a tribute to posthumous dignity. After Mestre’s lifetime achievements, the town of Altea chose to honor her memory with the Estela d’Honor Award for 2023.

Defender of Valencia

Aurora Serrat highlighted Mestre’s lifelong commitment to defending and promoting Valencia. Mestre collaborated with educators, championed language in schools, and contributed as a screenwriter and presenter. Her first Valencian-language radio show for a public broadcaster, Dalt to Baixe on Radio Peninsular, signaled the end of Francoist censorship and remained on air into the 1980s. The program later resurfaced under the name Here and Now, covering the Valencia region and fostering a school of radio culture. Mestre also contributed to newspapers in her later years and remained closely tied to Valencia throughout her life.

Call for Altea VII Literary and Research Awards awarded with 12,000 euros

Regarding the Dalt to Baixe program, Serrat emphasized its role as a defining reference for Valencian culture and the New Song movement. It supported bands and singer-songwriters who embodied the social and cultural movements of the era, featuring artists such as Els Pavesos, Carraixet, Raimon, Ovidi Montllor, Marina Rossell, Lluís Llach, Pau Riba, María del Mar Bonet, Joan Manuel Serrat, Sifoner Lluís, Paco Muñoz, and Lluís Miquel.

Author compared to Sánchez-Cutillas

A member of the Cultural Council drew a parallel between Mestre and Carmelina Sánchez-Cutillas, noting that Mestre pursued journalism while composing poems and songs. Her literary work often centers on Altea as a legendary reference, a role that mirrors Sánchez-Cutillas and aligns with the tradition of recognizing literature and culture. The comparison aligns with awards such as the Artur Simó de Silla poetry prize, the Pasqual Asinsi Lerma poetry prize, and the Jordi de Sant Jordi poetry prize from Valencia’s city council. In 2001, the Generalitat de Catalunya recognized her with a National Broadcasting Award, and shortly before her passing she was honored at a Valencia festival for her support of Valencian music. The Ovidi Montllor Award from Valencia was also mentioned in this context.

The winning books of the Altea Literature Awards 2022 were presented

Aurora Serrat noted that Mestre authored several notable works, including Pleniluni d’estiu (1980), Retaule (1980), Fletxes en el vent (1981), Quadern de l’Enyor i Disseny (1994), El poble. Altea (2000), and the children’s book D’enlloc i no mai. Valencian Legends (1988). Her book Altea. Records (1997) represents poetic prose that contributed to Valencian literary culture. In a documentary by À Punt Mèdia, Mestre was remembered through a studio portrait in Valencia’s public radio scene, with collaborators such as María José Poquet and Frederic Martí reflecting on four decades of broadcasts and cultural impact.

Mamen Asencio to present the gala

Additionally, Serrat announced that journalist Mamen Asencio, based in Altea and known for hosting the RNE program For Three Reasons, will present the VII Altea Literature and Research Awards gala. Tickets are on sale at Casa de Cultura and the Altea Culture website until March 27 or until sold out.

Jordi Julià, Silvestre Vilaplana and Modest Barrera among previous awardees

Serrat outlined that the VII Altea Literary and Research Awards received 133 submissions, with 78 original works in the Carmelina Sánchez-Cutillas Award for Novel and Creative Prose and 42 entries in the Altea Children and Youth Literature Award. The festival also honored 13 articles in various categories, including Francesc Martínez i Martínez Assaig i Investigació. A live performance by the Blava Orchestra was part of the gala program.