Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, laureate of the Princess of Asturias Prize for Literature, visited Avilés this Thursday to engage with students at IES Careño Miranda. Natalia Menéndez, the school’s director, led the coordination of the event alongside the pupils, creating a warm and collaborative atmosphere that highlighted the power of storytelling in a modern world saturated with misinformation.
The Princess of Letters award acted as a catalyst for a candid conversation about the role of literature in navigating fake news. Murakami encouraged the young audience to keep their curiosity alive by opening the books and exploring diverse worlds, arguing that reading is a reliable compass in uncertain times.
On stage, the students joined the discussion. Marco Antonio, one of the attendees, asked Murakami about his earliest literary influences. Murakami recalled his younger years, noting that he read voraciously but did not immediately recognize his own talent. He remembered teachers who believed in him and, importantly, stressed the value of reading many excellent books to build a strong foundation for writing. The author underscored that persistence and immersion in quality literature were essential for developing one’s voice.
When the conversation turned to learning and growth, Murakami spoke about his evolving relationship with rules and style. He shared that at age twenty-nine he began writing from personal feeling rather than strictly adhering to the conventions he had been taught. This honesty, Murakami explained, helped him forge a distinctive narrative voice that many readers and critics came to associate with him. The exchange underscored a recurring theme in the writer’s career: the belief that genuine expression can surpass formal instruction when it reflects true experience.
During the encounter, a student asked about the so-called rituals behind his work. Murakami offered a practical view, describing how dedication, daily practice, and a willingness to embrace solitude contributed to his creative process. He noted that some people perceived his style as singular, but he emphasized that a writer’s path is formed by consistent effort and a willingness to explore unfamiliar subjects. The session closed with reflections on the enduring importance of literature as a space for imagination, empathy, and critical thinking in a media-saturated era.