Five Princess of Asturias laureates for literature are to participate in Awards Week

For the first time ever, five Princess of Asturias Laureates for Literature are to participate in “Awards Week”, which has been extended this year to mark the tenth anniversary of Her Royal Highness The Princess of Asturias as Honorary President of the institution and following her coming of age.    

In addition to this year’s Laureate Ana Blandiana, writers John Banville, Leonardo Padura, Siri Hustvedt and Juan Mayorga, who have likewise received the Award for Literature, will be taking part in various activities such as meetings with the public, visits to schools, a poetry recital and a dramatized reading.

Meeting with readers

2019 Princess of Asturias Laureate for Literature Siri Hustvedt will participate in a discussion open to the public on Thursday 17th October at the Jovellanos Theatre in Gijón.

2014 and 2015 Laureates for Literature respectively John Banville and Leonardo Padura will meet with members of book clubs linked to public libraries in Asturias and other regions of Spain, in which they will address the keys to crime novels, among other topics. The event will take place on 18th October at the Prince Felipe Auditorium in Oviedo. 

For her part, 2024 Princess of Asturias Laureate for Literature Ana Blandiana will feature in a meeting with book clubs at the Jovellanos Theatre on Monday 21st October.

In addition, Siri Hustvedt and Leonardo Padura are scheduled to visit two schools.

Dramatized reading

2022 Princess of Asturias Laureate for Literature Juan Mayorga will perform a dramatized reading of his monologue La gran cacería [The Great Hunt], with the participation of dancer and choreographer Luz Arcas. At the end of the reading, Mayorga will take part in a discussion with the audience (members of book clubs,secondary school pupils and the general public). The event will take place on Wednesday 16th October at the La Vega Arms Factory, in Oviedo. 

Other events focussing on Ana Blandiana

On 21st October, Ana Blandiana will meet with students who have participated in the “Taking the Floor” cultural programme for schools in the Principality of Asturias. In this activity based on her work and inspired by the classical Greek concept of Kalokagathia, i.e. the union of the good and the beautiful, pupils were asked to create a visual work based on of the Laureate’s poems that was to reflect what her verses suggested to them. 

On Tuesday 22nd October, the writer will participate in a poetry recital entitled Parallel Sounds at the La Vega Arms Factory.

Furthermore, Ana Blandiana will meet with students from the Humanities Faculty at the University of Oviedo on Wednesday 23rd October.

Full programme yet to be announced

The full programme of activities featuring the Laureates will be announced in the coming days.