
The 36th Ciutat d’Alzira Literary Awards ceremony took place on the evening of Thursday, the 12 December (originally scheduled for the 8th of November), at the Gran Teatre. This cultural and charitable event, attended by more than 600 people, combined literary creativity with a tribute to Vicent Andrés Estellés and reflections on the state of the publishing sector following the recent weather phenomenon known as the DANA. The money raised with the tickets and with “fila 0” donations will go to Cruz Roja Alzira to support the recovery of towns affected by the DANA. This year, the Estudi General European Award for Science Popularisation, organised by the University of Valencia, was not awarded. Instead, the €12,000 prize money was donated by the university to aid those impacted by the DANA.
The main organisers, Edicions Bromera and the Alzira City Council, in light of the DANA, decided to transform the event into a charitable occasion, cancelling all previously planned festive activities. Attendees were given a list of affected Valencian publishers and bookshops along with a message encouraging book purchases as gifts for the festive season. Throughout the evening, numerous speeches highlighted the importance of books and culture as drivers of societal progress and called for the inclusion of the publishing sector in recovery plans. The University of Valencia was represented by Carles Padilla, vice-rector for Internationalisation and Multilingualism.
The prizes awarded went to Eva Moreno Bosch (Ciutat d’Alzira Novel Award) for El blau al meu costat, a work exploring a woman’s struggle to find her place in a society marked by contradictions between tradition and rebellion. The Essay Award was given to Antoni Martí Monterde for Memòries d’un vagó de ferrocarril, a timely homage to trains and a social and political critique. Alícia Toledo received the Vicent Silvestre Children's Narrative Award for Es lloguen cervells, a contemporary, critical story about technology, screens and childhood. The Palanca i Roca Theatre Award was given to Ferran Joanmiquel Pla for Frontera, a play exploring family ties and inner barriers. Additionally, the second Carme Miquel Young Adult Narrative Award went to Maria Vázquez Carlos for Crit ofegat, a mystery novel set in Sueca featuring two young environmentalists. The International Enric Solbes Illustrated Album Award was also presented, recognising La fila by Anna Mongay and Sheila Blázquez, a witty and humorous satire on solidarity among a group of tropical forest animals.
One of the most emotional moments of the event, presented by Maria Juan and featuring musical performances by Andreu Valor, Mireia Vives, Niuss, Josep Zapater and Noèlia Pérez, was the posthumous presentation of the Ibn Hafaja Poetry Award to the recently deceased Ramon Guillem for his final poetry collection, Cant d’oblit, a lyrical ode to life and memory.
This year saw several new additions to the awards, including a refreshed image and format. An honorary award for lifetime achievement, the Didín Puig Prize, was decided by public vote. The nominees included the musical group La Fúmiga, the theatre company Albena and the environmental association Xúquer Viu. After a month of voting, Xúquer Viu won the first Didín Puig Prize, celebrating the legacy of a woman dedicated to Valencian culture and society.
The number of works submitted across all categories increased this year, with 296 entries received (110 more than last year). The total prize fund for the awards amounted to €72,000.