Santa Isabel Award: Antonio Andreu Highlights Aragonese Literature

The Diputación de Zaragoza has awarded the first Santa Isabel Prize for literature in Aragonese to Antonio Andreu for his work «Esmolando a luenga.» This award, aimed at promoting literature in Aragonese, includes a financial grant of 5,000 euros and the publication of the winning work, highlighting the relevance of the Aragonese language in the current cultural landscape.

A Recognition of Quality and Originality

The award’s jury based its decision on a series of criteria that underscore the excellence of Andreu’s work. Among them, the quality, originality, and creativity of «Esmolando a luenga» were valued, as well as its rhythm and compositional coherence. The richness of the language used and the innovation, both conceptual and linguistic, were key aspects that stood out in the evaluation.

Furthermore, the cultural interest of the work was a determining factor for the jury, which sought to reward works that not only enrich Aragonese literature but also add value to the cultural heritage of Aragón.

Antonio Andreu: An Established Writer

Antonio Andreu Sanz, a retired philosophy professor and environmental communicator, has developed a notable career as a writer in Aragonese. His work «Espiello de Zertezas,» a collection of poems published by the Consello d’a Fabla Aragonesa in 2024, is just one example of his dedication to the Aragonese language.

Andreu is no stranger to literary recognition. In 2025, he received the IX Pedro Lafuente Prize in Aragonese for «En Uesca tamién yo» and the XVII Ana Abarca de Bolea Poetry Prize in Aragonese for «No se trescruza pas l’orizón.» These awards reflect his commitment to promoting and preserving the Aragonese language through his literary work.

The Santa Isabel Prize for literature in Aragonese was open to adults born or registered in Aragón for at least one year prior to the publication of the call for entries. Submitted works had to be original, unpublished, and written in Aragonese, without having been previously awarded. The competition accepted genres such as narrative, comics, graphic narrative, poetry, theater, and essay, allowing each participant to submit a maximum of two distinct works.

This prize not only seeks to recognize individual talent but also to encourage literary creation in Aragonese, contributing to the revitalization and dissemination of this minority language in the cultural sphere.