The author, who resides in Bot, in the Terra Alta region, received the recognition during the literary evening that took place last Wednesday, August 26, at the Vinebre Cinema Hall, coinciding with the start of the town's main festival.
The mayor of Vinebre, Sandra Rico, opened the event, highlighting the institutional and linguistic significance of the competition. Rico emphasized that such events are crucial for bringing literature closer to the community and promoting the Catalan language in the region.
The jury selected “El pes del silenci” from the 20 submissions. Asensio, making her novel debut, expressed her emotion and described the work as a reflection of her connection to the Terres de l’Ebre. The novel tells the story of a childhood marked by fear and silence in the post-war era, where children had to assume adult roles.
“"I am the daughter of Horta de Sant Joan and I live in Bot, I am from Terra Alta. I feel very connected to the Terres de l’Ebre and it shows a lot in this book, because the way of speaking you will find is the way I speak and the way we speak in this land. The work talks about a lost childhood in a post-war era where many things were kept silent out of fear and to ensure tranquility, and where children had to assume unthinkable roles. It is the evolution of a boy who ends up understanding that the adult world is very complicated and that many feelings have to be put aside. Writing and being able to convey these emotions and have them liked is what makes me happiest."
Meanwhile, the president of the Consell Comarcal de la Ribera d’Ebre, Francesc Barbero, highlighted the prize's long history, considering it the oldest in the Catalan language in the Terres de l’Ebre. Barbero congratulated the Vinebre City Council for its consistent support of culture.
During the event, a theatrical presentation of “Som aquí”, by Montserrat López Tolosana, the previous year's winner, was also featured. The evening concluded with a performance inspired by the poetry collection Deix de Valer Gisbert and a dinner for attendees.
