Combining a long career in literary leadership with sharp, provocative writing, Dario Villanueva, former director of RAE, has been honored as the 2021 Francisco Umbral Award for Book of the Year. The prize comes with a 12,000 euro purse and recognizes the impact of his article titled Bit Your Tongue, noted as a timely and highly relevant contribution amid today’s social tensions. Attribution: Francisco Umbral Foundation
During the ceremony, the award was presented by Marta Rivera de la Cruz, the Madrid Community Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports, alongside España Suárez, president of the Francisco Umbral Foundation, and José Luis Álvarez Ustarroz, mayor of Majadahonda. The moment underscored a shared commitment to celebrating voices that challenge conventional discourse and spark constructive dialogue. Attribution: Francisco Umbral Foundation
The winner reflected on the role of language in public life, noting that language does not belong to the state. When power imposes a new vocabulary, citizens may find themselves drawn into that framework, which risks becoming a form of censorship. This perspective has sparked conversations about how language shapes authority and individual autonomy in contemporary society. Attribution: Francisco Umbral Foundation
España Suárez, addressing the audience at the ceremony, asserted that Bit Your Tongue must be read as a testament to robust literary craft. She described the book as a solid piece of literary testimony, one that captures the mood and questions of the era with clarity and courage. Attribution: Francisco Umbral Foundation
Jose Luis Álvarez Ustarroz, the Majadahonda mayor, lauded the author for delivering an essay that is direct, entertaining, educational, and refreshingly different. He emphasized the work’s ability to engage readers with a lively, insightful voice. Marta Rivera de la Cruz echoed the sentiment, praising Villanueva for an extraordinary body of work and positioning him as a benchmark in Spanish literature. The ceremony took place at the Royal Post Office in Madrid, a setting that highlighted the traditional and cultural significance of the award. Attribution: Francisco Umbral Foundation
Past winners of the Francisco Umbral Award for Book of the Year include notable authors and works that have left a lasting mark on Spanish letters. In 2011, Manuel Longares received the honor for The Head on Fire, followed by Luis Mateo Díez in 2012 for On the Shore. Rafael Chirbes was recognized in 2013 for Four Corners, and JJ Armas Marcelo in 2014 for Unlearning. The list continued with José Manuel Caballero Bonald in 2015 for Vatan, Fernando Aramburu in 2016 for Transition, Santos Juliá in 2017 for South, Antonio Soler in 2018 for Hard Times, Mario Vargas Llosa in 2019 for Wonders, and Elena Medel in 2020 for Wondrous Things. Attribution: Francisco Umbral Foundation