With this recognition, Eva Baltasar adds another international success to a career that has already established her as one of the most internationally projected contemporary Catalan authors. The novel, the first work of Catalan literature to win the award, triumphed over a final selection of renowned international literary authors.
Eva Baltasar was previously a finalist for the Prix Médicis étranger in 2020 with Permagel (Permafrost, Verdier, 2020). This new award comes at a time of significant international projection for Baltasar's work, which has been translated into a dozen languages and widely praised by critics.
The awarding of the Prix Médicis étranger strengthens the presence of Catalan literature within the French literary system and confirms the ability of its authors to connect with readers worldwide. The award also acknowledges the ongoing work of translators, editors, and institutions contributing to the internationalization of Catalan literature.
The Prix Médicis, founded in 1958, recognizes innovative and unique literary works. Since 1970, the Prix Médicis étranger has annually honored an international work translated into French, establishing itself as one of the most prestigious awards in the French publishing scene. This year's jury was presided over by Pascale Roze.
The prize also recognizes the work of translator Annie Bats, a leading voice in literary translation from Catalan to French. Based in Barcelona, besides translating all of Eva Baltasar's work, she has translated authors such as Maria-Mercè Marçal, Montserrat Roig, and Biel Mesquida. In 2019, she received the Premi Ramon Llull de Traducció Literària for her translation of Biel Mesquida's Llefre de tu.
