Argentine writer Axel Levin wins the first New Narrator Award from the Akdeniz Foundation
Axel Levin, a 31-year-old writer from Argentina, has been named the winner of the competition’s inaugural edition. The jury recognized his novel as the standout entry in the New Narrator Award, a prize created by the Akdeniz Foundation to honor young authors under 35. The winning manuscript marks Levin’s debut in long-form fiction, blending elements of Argentine reality with speculative imagination to explore violence through a dreamlike lens.
The jury comprised Basilio Pujante, a distinguished professor and critic; Pilar Fragile, a journalist; Manuel Madrid, a teacher; Carmen Pujante; and Manuel Borras, the head of the Pre-Textos publishing house. They convened to award Levin’s work, noting the seamless fusion of realism with fantasy at the heart of the novel.
Out of 94 submissions from 15 nationalities, Levin emerged as the prize recipient. He received 5,000 euros and the opportunity to publish the work in its first edition, with 800 copies produced by Pre-Textos for initial distribution. The decision was announced at a ceremony held at the Murcia headquarters of the Mediterranean Foundation, where Rosa Peñalver, the foundation’s vice president and president of the jury, affirmed the foundation’s long-standing commitment to promoting literary talent and supporting young creators who connect culture with society.
The president of the jury, Basilio Pujante, highlighted the quality of Levin’s manuscript, noting that it stood among the five finalists and that its maturity was evident despite the author’s young age. He described the novel as engaging, with a compelling examination of violence in 20th-century Argentine history and its impact on families who suffered losses.
Levin expressed that receiving the award came with surprise and great joy, describing it as a significant milestone for sharing his writing and artistic vision. He explained that the novel weaves Argentine historical moments, including the dictatorship era and waves of nationalizations from the 1970s, into a narrative that also reflects personal and familial history. The story leans into the author’s love for science fiction, pushing the boundaries between reality and the fantastical and endowing the protagonist with extraordinary attributes.
The book, as Levin describes it, seeks to develop a tale grounded in historical realism while inviting readers into a space where fantastical elements illuminate the past. The narrative follows a hero who uncovers truths about long-unsolved disappearances and journeys toward a secluded mountain town in central Argentina, exploring how past acts of violence and secrecy continue to shape the present.
The work also touches on the deception and brutality of authoritarian rule in Argentina, including the controversial period when some Nazi-influenced figures found footholds in the country. The jury noted that the novel’s themes resonate with the broader literary movement often linked to the Andean Gothic, a contemporary trend recognized by writers such as Mariana Enríquez. This echoes the persistence of violence and memory across generations.
Biographical sketch: Axel Levin
Axel Levin was born in 1992 in Buenos Aires. He earned a National Technician diploma in Recreation and Leisure (ISTLyR, 2012), followed by teacher training (2017) and a degree in Anthropological Sciences from the University of Buenos Aires in 2018. He later completed a Master of Science in Social Anthropology at UBA in 2023 and is pursuing doctoral studies in the same field.
Levin has contributed to La Juntada’s anthology in 2015 and to other editions through the Ruinas Circulares publishing house. He has also collaborated as a compiler for subsequent anthologies and published a book that blends poetry, poetic prose, and short stories with Viajera Editorial in 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, he conducted literacy workshops for children and adolescents at a local venue and remains actively engaged in literary projects.
Competition participation and reach
In total, 94 novels from 15 nationalities entered the Mediterranean Foundation New Storytellers Award. The majority of submissions came from Spain, followed by Argentina, Cuba, and entries from other countries including Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, the United States, Ecuador, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Turkey. The strong turnout underlines the competition’s appeal among young writers and its role in spotlighting new voices in world literature.
The award’s high participation underscores its value as a platform for emerging authors. It aligns with the foundation’s ongoing commitment to literature and to recognizing fresh talent that can connect with a broad audience across borders.
Earlier this year, the award highlighted the foundation’s dedication to nurturing new writers who are shaping contemporary storytelling and encouraging dialogue between culture and society as a whole.
The Mediterráneo Foundation’s initiative continues to foster a dynamic space for literary experimentation and discovery, inviting readers to explore bold narratives by authors at the early stages of their careers.