The Durango Museum of Art and History hosted last Sunday the award ceremony for the 43rd edition of the Julene Azpeitia literary contest, an initiative that continues to foster literary creation in Basque among people of different ages.
This year, the competition has gathered 261 works, with 218 entries in the story category, 14 in poetry, and 29 in verse, all original and unpublished works.
In the story category, the awards went to Paule Bilbao Berriozabal (Primary Education 5-6), Eider Elkoroberezibar Irigoien (Secondary Education 1-2), Elaia Berrojalbiz López (Secondary Education 3-4), and Irati Gallastegi Molero (Baccalaureate). Additionally, the jury awarded honorable mentions to Araitz Ormaza Lema and Lur Abarrategi in the Primary Education 5-6 category, to Jare Larrea Amezua in Secondary Education 1-2, and to Izei Gallastegi Molero in Secondary Education 3-4.
In the poetry category, the awardees were Aiur Zenikaonandia Alberdi (Primary Education 5-6), Amets Sanchez Onandia (Secondary Education 1-2), Oihane Cabezas Guenaga (Secondary Education 3-4), and Maddi Loizate Izpurieta (18+). Meanwhile, in the verse category, the prizes were awarded to Euri Maiztegi Agirre (Primary Education 5-6) and Urko Egaña Calderón (18+), with Iñigo Legorburu receiving an honorable mention in this last category.
With this new edition, the contest once again highlights the value of writing and creativity in Basque, while offering a platform for new literary voices. Following the award ceremony, the Durango City Council congratulated all the recognized individuals and thanked the participants whose works have contributed to an initiative that is already looking forward to its 44th edition.
