The Mallorca Awards for Literary Creation and Contemporary Photography They celebrated another edition marked by exceptionally high participation and a festive atmosphere that went far beyond a simple awards ceremony. The event has established itself as one of the island's cultural highlights, strengthening the bond between institutions, authors, and readers.
The following have submitted applications in this call for proposals 545 works, the highest number Since the creation of these awards, the growing interest in a competition that combines literature in different genres, contemporary photography, and, starting this year, narrative in Spanish, has been confirmed. The response from creators both within and outside of Mallorca has made the gala a central meeting point for the cultural sector.
A gala with record participation and a new festive format
The Consell de Mallorca has organized the gala in the Llorenç Villalonga Museum House, in Binissalem, one of the most emblematic cultural spaces of the island institution. The change of venue has reinforced the symbolic dimension of the event, bringing it closer to the island's literary memory and giving it a more intimate and experiential character.
The president of the Consell, Llorenc GalmesDuring her speech, she highlighted the success of the event, emphasizing both the number of participants and the high quality of the submitted works. In her opinion, this year's edition demonstrates that the Mallorca Awards "are still very much alive" and maintain a strong presence in the Mallorcan cultural scene, with an impact that extends beyond the local area.
For her part, the vice president and minister of Culture and Heritage, Antònia RocaHe emphasized the work of the juries, made up of more than 40 people who had to evaluate an exceptionally high volume of submissions in a tight timeframe. Their work, he noted, was key to ensuring the rigor and soundness of the verdicts.
This year, the Consell has opted for to transform the gala into a true celebration of literatureMoving away from a purely formal format, the event incorporated musical performances, wine tastings, and culinary offerings, creating a program designed to allow everyone to enjoy books and photography.
The writer and communicator Empar Moliner She was one of the morning's highlights with her "Maridar els llibres" (Pairing Books) program, a combination of readings with local wines presented with humor and a strong connection to the audience. The cultural program was rounded out with "Metamorfosis" (Metamorphosis), a recital on classical myths performed by musician Ferran Pisà and rhapsodist Miquel Costa, which offered a more intimate and reflective tone.
The key moment: the announcement of the award winners
The high point of the day came at 12 noonWhen the winning works of the Mallorca Prizes for Literary Creation and Contemporary Photography were officially announced. The journalist Margalida Mateu She was in charge of hosting the ceremony and presenting each of the award-winning titles to the audience.
The organization wanted to give prominence to the texts distinguished by the reading of fragments of the award-winning works, allowing those present to gain a direct understanding of the tone, style, and literary strength of each submission. This approach helped to connect the original works with the audience, going beyond the purely formal details of the awards list.
Following the awards announcement, the celebration continued in a relaxed atmosphere, enlivened by live music. The group Two Little RoomsThe band, made up of Aina Zanoguera and Gori Matas, provided the soundtrack to the more social part of the day, creating a relaxed atmosphere where authors, editors, jurors and the public could talk and share impressions.
The culinary aspect was especially important thanks to the chef Miquel CalentShe is responsible for two initiatives closely linked to literature. On the one hand, "Vins i llibres" (Wines and Books), a selection of wines paired with different literary works, and on the other, "Mossegades literàries" (Literary Tastings), small tastings inspired by books by Mallorcan authors. This combination reinforced the idea that culture can also be enjoyed through the palate.
Mallorca Literary Creation Awards: narrative, poetry, essay and more
In the literary section, the Mallorca Awards have maintained their structure of multiple categorieswith financial support intended to encourage creative work and promote the dissemination of winning entries. Narrative, poetry, essays, theater, and illustrated children's literature have all had their own dedicated sections.
El Mallorca Narrative Prize In Catalan, with an amount of 25.000 euros, it has been awarded to Oscar J. Palazón Ferré for the work "Stabat mater. Un vent divi." The jury distinguished this work for its literary ambition and for a narrative voice that, as highlighted during the gala, engages with tradition while offering a highly personal perspective.
In the realm of poetry, the Mallorca Poetry Prize, endowed with 15.000 euros, has been for Damià Rotger Miró with the book "The Journey". The work has been praised for the strength of its language, the coherence of the whole, and the ability to articulate an inner journey that is open to multiple interpretations.
El Mallorca Essay Prize, with a prize of 19.000 euros, has recognized Vicenç Amengual Salas by "Salvador Magallón Forés, the serigraphist of the boom. The art of serigraphy at the service of pennants." This study focuses on the figure of Salvador Magallón Forés and the role of serigraphy at a key moment in visual culture, analyzing how this technique was put at the service of popular graphics and pennants.
In the category of theatrical textsThe prize, worth 10.000 euros, has been awarded to Marta Isabel Moreno Pizarro for the play "The Guardian." The piece has attracted attention for its dramatic structure and for the way it addresses emotionally and socially significant themes through a contemporary stage design.
Finally, within the Catalan literary field, the Mallorca Prize for Illustrated Children's Literature (10.000 euros) has gone to “Què hi ha per dinar?”, by Caterina Valriu Llinàs y Barbara Sansó GenovartThe jury valued the combination of text and image, the ability to connect with the children's audience and the playful treatment of an everyday situation such as mealtime.
Premiere of narrative in Spanish and awards in the Spanish language
One of the main new features of this edition has been the incorporation of narrative in Spanish as its own category within the Mallorca Literary Creation Awards, thus expanding the linguistic range of the competition and opening the door to new types of authors.
In this new section, the Mallorca Prize for Narrative in Spanish, also endowed with 25.000 euros, has been for Diego Sánchez Aguilar for the novel "David the Magician." The award places the work on the national literary map, reinforcing Mallorca's role as a platform for creation and dissemination throughout Spain.
In poetry, the Poetry Prize in SpanishThe book "Infinitesimal" has been recognized with a prize of 15.000 euros. Roxana MéndezThe author's poetic proposal has been highlighted for its expressive precision and for the way it approaches the intimate and the everyday from a perspective that seeks the universal in the seemingly minimal.
The section of essay in SpanishThe prize of 19.000 euros has been awarded to Manuel Aguilera Povedano by "Mallorca in Flames: The Victims of the First Systematic Aerial Bombings Against Civilians in History." The work focuses on a key episode in contemporary history, addressing the bombings suffered by civilians in Mallorca and providing research that combines historical rigor with a desire to remember.
Mallorca Contemporary Photography Awards
In addition to literary creation, the competition features a specific chapter for contemporary photography, established as a relevant space for visual reflection and artistic experimentation in the field of image.
El Mallorca Contemporary Photography AwardThe prize, endowed with 8.000 euros, has been awarded to Bandia Ribeira for the project "Greatness and Weakness of the Spontaneous." The work offers a perspective on the fragility and power of everyday gestures, exploring how the unexpected and the immediate can become the core of a coherent visual narrative.
Furthermore, the Mallorca Talent Illenc Photography Award, with a grant of 4.000 euros, has recognized the work of Beatriz Polo Iañez Titled "When the Day Ends," this series approaches the moment of the day's end, playing with light, shadows, and the sensations that arise when daily activity slows down and the landscape transforms.
The coexistence of these two photographic categories reinforces the vocation of the awards. support both established careers and new talents, in line with the general commitment of the Consell de Mallorca to a diverse cultural ecosystem that combines research, memory, contemporary creation and dissemination.
With an edition marked by participation record, The expansion of linguistic categories And with a gala format that blends literature, music, gastronomy and photography, the Mallorca Awards for Literary Creation and Contemporary Photography are confirmed as a a key event on the Balearic cultural calendar, with impact both on the island and in Spain as a whole and a future that, in light of this announcement, It aims to continue growing in scope and ambition.
