Eli Tolaretxipi, Matias Mujika, Jon Gerediaga, and Mikel Ayestaran to Receive 2026 Euskadi Literature Awards

The awards recognize literary excellence in Basque and Spanish, as well as literary translation into Basque, celebrating diverse genres and cultural contributions.

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Generic image of a stack of books on a table, with warm light.

Andoni Iturbe, Deputy Minister of Culture, has announced the winners of the 2026 Euskadi Literature Awards in the categories of Literature in Spanish, Literary Translation into Basque, Essay in Basque, and Essay in Spanish.

Eli Tolaretxipi (Donostia-San Sebastián, 1962) has won the Award for Literature in Spanish for her poetry collection Cuerpos pasajeros. The jury highlighted the "quality of the poetry collection" and the author's "linguistic and creative capacity to construct suggestive images."
Matias Mujika Franco de Medinaceli (Pamplona, 1961) receives the Award for Literary Translation into Basque for his translation of Odisea. The jury described his work as a "monumental translation" and praised his "precise use of language and rhythmic and metrical resources."
Jon Gerediaga Goitia (Bilbao, 1975), a poet and anthropologist, has won the Award for Essay in Basque for Izena eta izana: (hitz poetikoari buruz). The jury emphasized the author's "ability to delve into the power of the poetic word" and "to involve the reader in the reflection posed."
Finally, Mikel Ayestaran (Beasain, 1975), a journalist, has been recognized with the Award for Essay in Spanish for Historias de Gaza: la vida entre guerras. The jury considers the work to successfully integrate "journalistic rigor and literary quality narrative construction," offering an "ethical and reflective approach" to the reality of Gaza.
The award ceremony for the 2026 Euskadi Literature Awards will take place on November 20th, Friday, at 6:00 PM at the Euskal Museoa in Bilbao. Each laureate receives 18,000 euros, with an additional 4,000 euros if the awarded work is published in another language.
Based on information from the official source: Irekia — Dpto. Cultura y Política Lingüística (21/10/2026)