Sebastià Alzamora Wins Spain's 2026 National Poetry Prize for 'Sala Augusta seguit de Llengua materna'
The 2026 National Poetry Prize has been conferred by the Spanish Ministry of Culture to Mallorcan author Sebastià Alzamora for his work 'Sala Augusta seguit de Llengua materna', released by Editorial Proa, accompanied by a monetary award of 30,000 euros. The jury commended the poetry collection for its unique combination of historical critique and intimate warmth, reflecting on the atrocities of the Spanish Civil War while paying tribute to Alzamora's mother and his formative years. Born in Llucmajor in 1972, Alzamora, who holds a degree in Catalan Philology, first gained acclaim with 'Rafel' (1994). His prominent works include 'Sara y Jeremías', 'La piel y la princesa', and 'Rabia'. María José Gálvez Salvador led the jury, which included members from various literary organizations.
Key facts
- Sebastià Alzamora won Spain's 2026 National Poetry Prize for 'Sala Augusta seguit de Llengua materna' (Editorial Proa).
- The prize, awarded by the Ministry of Culture, is worth 30,000 euros.
- The jury praised the book for blending historical denunciation with domestic tenderness.
- 'Sala Augusta' is a single long free-verse poem about a cinema in central Palma that was used as a prison during the Spanish Civil War.
- 'Llengua materna' pays homage to the poet's mother and a humble childhood sustained by women working in the shoe industry.
- The previous winner was Miriam Reyes; past winners include Miren Agur Meabe, Yolanda Castaño, Aurora Luque, Olga Novo, Pilar Pallarés, Antònia Vicens, and Chus Pato.
- Alzamora was born in Llucmajor in 1972 and holds a degree in Catalan Philology from the Universitat de les Illes Balears.
- His novel 'Rabia' won the Òmnium Prize for Best Novel of the Year in 2022; his poetry has been translated into seven languages.
Entities
Artists
- Sebastià Alzamora
- Miriam Reyes
- Miren Agur Meabe
- Yolanda Castaño
- Aurora Luque
- Olga Novo
- Pilar Pallarés
- Antònia Vicens
- Chus Pato
- José María Merino Sánchez
- Gonzalo Navaza Blanco
- Miren Karmele Azkarate Villar
- Vinyet Panyella
- Josep Martínez Pérez
- Juan Penalva
- Carlos Aganzo
- Luis Bagué Quílez
- Magis Iglesias
- Melani Penna Tosso
- Sabina Urraca García
- María José Gálvez Salvador
- Jesús González González
Institutions
- Editorial Proa
- Ministerio de Cultura
- Real Academia Española
- Real Academia Galega
- Euskaltzaindia
- Institut d'Estudis Catalans
- Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua
- Conferencia de Rectores de las Universidades Españolas (CRUE)
- Asociación Colegial de Escritoras y Escritores de España (ACE)
- Asociación Española de Críticos Literarios
- Federación de Asociaciones de Periodistas de España (FAPE)
- Instituto de Investigaciones Feministas de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid
- Universitat de les Illes Balears
- Revista de Arte - Logopress
Locations
- Llucmajor
- Spain
- Palma
- Mallorca