The 58th Josep Pla Prize, valued at 10,000 euros, was awarded to Francesc Torralba (Barcelona, 1967) for his essay Anatomía de la esperanza (Anatomy of Hope). The work, written by the professor at Ramon Llull University, aims to be a guide for navigating times of uncertainty, drawing on philosophy, literature, and human experience.
“"In dark contexts like the present one, hope is precisely when we need it most. If there is no hope, there is no commitment and no possible change."
Meanwhile, the 82nd Nadal Novel Award, endowed with 30,000 euros, went to David Uclés (Úbeda, 1990) for his novel La ciudad de las luces muertas (The City of Dead Lights). The plot begins in post-war Barcelona shrouded in darkness and crosses different eras and historical figures —such as Antoni Gaudí, Mercè Rodoreda, or Freddie Mercury— in an effort to bring light back to the city.
The traditional literary event took place on January 6th at the Hotel Palace in Barcelona. Several authorities attended the ceremony, including the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa; the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, and the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun. Both winning works are scheduled for publication on February 4th.
