The emotion was shared. And complicity, palpable. He Aragonese Letters Award 2024, which this year is granted “former Aequo”, has fallen to two essential figures of the Aragonese culture: the writer and bibliophile José Luis Melero and the journalist and writer Antón Castro. Both have received the award with emotion, pride and a complicity that has been very visible during the act in a groceries IACC Pablo Serrano. The president of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, as the general director of Culture, Pedro Olloqui who have valued the sweet moment that Aragonese letters live.
He was not born on this earth but adopted it as his, making his pen a bridge that unites journalism and literature. “It’s an immense pride,” Antón Castro confessed minutes before the ceremony. “I honestly expect it, but achieve it with someone I love very much, with whom I have made a parallel life, like José Luis, it is really moving. Sharing the prize with him does not remain, but adds.” With 38 years dedicated to journalism, in media such as the day, the newspaper of Aragon, Aragon Televisión or Heraldo de Aragón, Castro has underlined his efforts to defend “until the revalo” the Aragonese lyrics, giving voice to authors and making visible his work with honesty and passion.
The joint concession of the award was approved by the Aragon Governing Council
For his part, José Luis Melero, absolute reference of the world of book in Aragon, has described the prize as “an extraordinary honor, immense happiness and enormous gratitude.” “This is our Cervantes,” he said roundly. “We don’t say it because we win it now. We have always said it. It is the most important award in the community, which we have to take care and pamper.” For Melero, this recognition also symbolizes the cultural strength of Aragon: “We have never had so many writers, filmmakers, artists. We are at a golden moment and this award is proof that Aragon is more alive than ever.”
The joint concession of the award was approved by the Governing Council of Aragon and recognizes, in the case of Antón Castro, its contribution to cultural journalism and different literary genres “with origin and source in the lands of Aragon.” In the Melero, his long career in Aragonese cultural projects, his work as an editor, writer, bibliophile and disseminator of Aragonese literature is valued.
The Zaragozano writer, author of titles such as “The Incorguible Reader”, “Read to tell” or “The tombstones of memory”, is one of the greatest experts in Aragonese literature. He has been president of the Aragonese Studies Rold and the Gaspar Torrente Foundation, and is a member of the Royal Academy of Nobles and Fine Arts of San Luis. Among other distinctions, he is a favorite son of Saragossa and gold medal of Santa Isabel de Portugal.
Antón Castro, Galician of origin and Aragonese adoption, has been awarded the National Cultural Journalism Award and is the author of a prolific literary work that includes narrative, poetry and essay. His work as a cultural disseminator from arts & letters and programs such as drafts or without coverage has left a deep mark on the Aragonese media landscape.
Melero has summarized with humor the shared feeling: “This that they give you an ex Aequo prize has the risk of giving it to someone who seems an idiot, and then you are lost. But here the opposite occurs, they give it to me with someone extraordinary, who is my great friend. Happiness is immense.”
Both winners symbolize not only love for letters, but also a sustained commitment to Aragonese culture, collective memory and the promotion of talent. An Aragonese Cervantes, shared by two references that today celebrate their place in the literary history of Aragon.
