Young Asmae Soussi, winner of the second prize in the fifth and sixth primary grade category, was recognized for her story titled Ganes de parlar català (Desire to Speak Catalan). The narrative recounts her experience of moving from a mountain village where Darija Arabic was spoken to Bell-lloc d'Urgell, a change that initially left her feeling isolated due to the language barrier.
Soussi has quickly learned Catalan, both spoken and written, thanks to the help of her teachers, new friends, and various educational apps. She herself emphasizes the importance of speaking Catalonia's native language for integration, study, work, and personal development, warning that its loss would be irreversible.
“"Catalan is necessary to live here and to become an ever better person: to study, to work, and to be with friends and meet new people."
The first prize in the same category went to Jiaixiang Jin, a member of a Chinese family who owns a local bazaar, for the text Defensem el català al parc (Let's Defend Catalan in the Park). This work tells the story of a Moroccan boy, Mohamed, who faces a situation of linguistic pressure at the municipal park.
Mohamed, after considerable effort to learn Catalan, is confronted by a group of older boys who demand he speak Spanish. Despite the initial tension, the protagonist manages to resolve the dispute peacefully, learning a key lesson about defending the language.
“"Defending Catalan doesn't mean getting angry or arguing, but speaking it, speaking it, and helping others learn it, because Catalan is more than a language. It's a way of life, of making friends and feeling part of a place."
Both stories highlight the vitality of Catalan among new generations and its importance as a tool for integration and social cohesion in Catalonia.
