Pensamientos, recuerdos, dietarios, memorias… these were the literary forms that Juan Gil-Albert cultivated throughout his prolific career. Now, in honor of the 120th anniversary of his birth and the 30th anniversary of his death, the Alicante Institute of Culture bearing his name pays tribute by launching the International Juan Gil-Albert Prize for Aphoristic Writing and Self-Expression.
The initiative starts with a clear objective: to sustain the distinctive voice that defined Gil-Albert’s Alcoyan prose, a voice that resonates in works such as Memorabilia, General Chronicle, and Breviarium vitae. As explained by the Culture Deputy, Juan de Dios Navarro, the Diputación de Alicante views this prize as a chance to bring greater visibility to the author and to broaden the profile of the institute beyond the provincial borders. He notes that appointing a prize in the name of one of the region’s cultural flagship figures is both a commitment and a way to shine a light on the Institute itself.
In this regard, writers of any nationality will be invited to participate in the contest, with the call remaining open until July 19. Submissions must be original and unpublished, written in Spanish, and the winning entry will receive a prize of 5,000 euros, along with the publication of a book in a specially designed collection created by the IAC for this purpose. This approach ensures that the prize not only recognizes a single work but also contributes to a lasting literary imprint that can be accessed by readers and scholars alike. The award aims to foster a broader engagement with contemporary aphorism and biographical writing, expanding the scope of Gil-Albert’s influence beyond poetry.
The IAC’s cultural director, Cristina Martínez, emphasized that there has been only one prize dedicated to this Alcoyan author, and it is focused on poetry. The new award seeks to go further by centering on the aphorism and biographical prose that Gil-Albert explored in his writing. Her hope is that the prize will resonate with writers and that associating Juan Gil-Albert’s name with this program will heighten recognition for the author and for the institute itself, both regionally and internationally.
The jury overseeing the competition will be composed of renowned figures from the literary and academic worlds. Judging will weigh three core criteria: thematic originality (40%), formal structure (30%), and linguistic and aesthetic craftsmanship (30%). The evaluation framework is designed to capture the fresh perspectives offered by modern aphoristic and biographical prose while honoring the stylistic discipline that characterizes Gil-Albert’s work. This balanced approach encourages submissions that blend inventive ideas with precise expression and a mature, lyrical voice. The prize thus positions Gil-Albert as a living presence in contemporary literature, inviting new authors to engage with his tradition while pushing the boundaries of concise, contemplative writing. Acknowledgments are attributed to the organizing institution for sustaining a literary culture that both honors the past and invites ongoing creative exploration.