The competition was revived by Benidorm City Council to mark the '700th Anniversary' and to promote talent and creativity in Valencian language
The work 'La caixa de la memòria', by Sara López, wins first prize in the 'Concurs literari El gos i la tortuga'
Sara López Moreno's short story "La Caixa de la memòria" has won first prize in the revived "El gos i la tortuga" literary competition, organised by Benidorm City Council's Departments of Historical and Cultural Heritage and Culture. Second prize went to "El gos i la tortuga" by Juan José Llorens Bonilla, and third prize to "Pedro Zaragoza, l’home que va convéncer Franco" by Carlos Ferrer Hammerlind.
The awards ceremony took place this afternoon at the Municipal Library. Mayor Toni Pérez, along with councillors Ana Pellicer and Jaime Jesús Pérez, who represent Historical and Cultural Heritage, and the winning authors, were in attendance. The first prize is €500, the second €250, and the third €150. The winners also received an illustration by Malagón alluding to the award they had just received. The competition jury consisted of María José Lozano and Eusebi Chiner.
Ana Pellicer recalled that the City Council decided to revive the competition “to commemorate the 700th Anniversary, as we felt it was the right time after having held the last edition in 1999.” Jaime Jesús Pérez, for his part, thanked “the participants” and stated that next year “we want to reach more people so that there are more participants.” This literary competition is focused on promoting culture, literary talent, and the Valencian language.
The competition was first held in 1982 and ran for fifteen editions, the last one in 1999. “It was a very popular competition in its time, and it bears the name of a very emblematic and beloved landmark for the people of Benidorm, which also has its own story,” said Ana Pellicer, who also pointed out that “this is why we thought it was a good idea to revive it for the 700th Anniversary.”
Benidorm City Council will publish 200 copies of the winning entries, which will allow “beyond the cash prize, the winners in each category to have the opportunity to see their story published,” added Jaime Jesús Pérez.
