The Bizkaia Booksellers Guild has awarded the 2026 Paper Lantern Award for the best book published in Spanish in 2025 to El año que fuimos reyes by Javier de Isusi. The jury highlighted that this is the first time the award has been given to a graphic novel. Both the quality of the work and the deep creative effort in establishing its setting, an alternative Bilbao, were praised for demonstrating a profound love and understanding of the city.
“"The quality of the work itself, a moving ode to friendship in that early youth where we believe ourselves capable of anything, as well as the profound creative work of the environment where the work is set, an alternative Bilbao, which could have been, full of architectural winks and fascinating references that demonstrate a love for the city and a deep knowledge of it, have been valued."
Meanwhile, the 2026 Paper Lantern Award for the best book published in Basque in 2025 went to Beste zerbait by Danele Sarriugarte. The jury commended the originality and style of her writing, as well as the work's ability to connect with the intimate development of a generation.
“"It is a mutant novel, which starts from a queer perspective to offer us a polyphonic vision of the body, language, and desire."
The awards ceremony will take place on April 23rd, Book Day, at 10:00 AM in the November 25th Women's Square, as part of the day's celebrations.
