Ferran Garcia and Barcelona-born Marina Garcés have received the XXVII Premi Llibreter awards, recognising the best books of 2025 as chosen by booksellers across Catalonia. The awards ceremony will take place this Wednesday at 20:00 at Sala Paral·lel 62 in Barcelona.
Celebrating Catalan Literary Talent
The Premi Llibreter, or Librarian Prize, aims to promote quality literature and highlight the essential role of booksellers. Its motto is "Combat the dystopia. Choose the bookstore." These awards do not include a monetary prize.
Marina Garcés, a philosopher born in Barcelona in 1973, won in the essay, thought, and other narratives category. Her book, La passió dels estranys (The Passion of Strangers), published by Galaxia Gutenberg, explores the theme of friendship through a journey in time.
Garcés expressed her delight at the recognition. She stated, "The recognition from booksellers has special meaning." She added that bookstores are "a world full of passions" and "places of friendship," explaining that "there is no friendship without stories."
Award-Winning Novels and Essays
Ferran Garcia, from Taradell, born in 1971, received the award for Catalan literature with his novel Sau. Editorial Males Herbes published this book. Critics have described Sau as "hypnotic and ambitious." It tells a story of forbidden love set in early 20th-century Osona landscapes, delving into dark themes and folklore.
Garcia shared his feelings about the award. He said he felt "like a boy." He explained that "loss and the ghosts that inhabit us" drive his work.
The awards also recognised Tina Vallès, born in Barcelona in 1976, for Cartes imprevistes (Unexpected Letters). This book, illustrated by Mercè Galí, won in the Catalan children's and youth literature category. Vallès mentioned combining her passions for epistolary novels and the lives of objects in this work.
International and Illustrated Works Honoured
American author Rita Bullwinkel, born in Santa Clara, California, in 1988, won the award for other literatures. Her debut work, A cop de llum (Light Blow), explores female adolescence and inner thought within a boxing ring scene. This novel was a Pulitzer Prize finalist and a Booker Prize candidate. Bullwinkel expressed her amazement at the book's warm reception in Catalonia.
In the children's and youth literature category for other languages, the classic El gegant de ferro (The Iron Giant) by Ted Hughes received the prize. Chris Mould, the illustrator, said he "enjoyed a lot adding his imagination" to a book he read as a child. Publisher Jan Martí highlighted the book's current relevance as a "pacifist plea." He noted its message of a "machine created to destroy chooses not to" in the context of global conflicts.
Pieter van den Heuvel's El racó de pensar (The Thinking Corner) won the best illustrated album award. This work, translated by Maria Rosich, features humour and emotions.
Recognising Dedicated Booksellers
The Premi Llibreter also honours booksellers with 35 years of uninterrupted service. This year, Irene Tortós-Sala from L'Altell bookstore in Banyoles and Araceli Clares from Llibreria Hispano Americana in Barcelona received this recognition. Llibreria Hispano Americana, a historic Barcelona establishment, was founded in 1937 and focuses on technical literature.
These awards continue to celebrate literary excellence and the vital role of independent bookstores. They foster a strong connection between authors, booksellers, and readers across Catalonia. The ceremony will bring together the literary community to mark these achievements.
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Originally published by betevé. Read original article.
