Ixiar Rozas, Yolanda Arrieta and Kike Ibáñez have been recognised as the winners of the Euskadi Literature Prizes 2026 in their respective categories. The awards were presented for their works Narrugorrik, Zurtz, and El diablo sobre ruedas during a ceremony at Tabakalera in Donostia-San Sebastián.
The Vice Minister of Culture, Andoni Iturbe, announced the winners at the event, which also featured Ana López, the Director of Cultural Promotion, and the awardees themselves. Iturbe remarked, “These three works showcase different ways of creating and engaging with literature. Through the Euskadi Literature Prizes, we aim to recognise the talent of our writers and bring their works to the public, fostering critical readers who can discover new perspectives through reading.”
Award for literature in Basque: Ixiar Rozas
Ixiar Rozas received the award for Literature in Basque for her book Narrugorrik, published by Consonni. The jury praised her literary exploration, highlighting her innovative use of language and her ability to navigate between literary genres. The work seeks to strip words to their essence, creating a poetic force through linguistic play that evokes sensory experiences between the body and nature. The jury also noted her sound and visual experimentation with language, as well as her innovative approach that draws from Basque tradition while straddling the line between oral and written forms.
Born in Lasarte-Oria in 1972, Rozas holds a PhD in Fine Arts from the University of the Basque Country and a degree in Information Sciences from the University of Navarra. She is an author of narratives, poetry, and critical texts published in various countries and languages, and teaches artistic education at Mondragon Unibertsitatea.
Award for children’s and young adult literature in Basque: Yolanda Arrieta
Yolanda Arrieta Malaxetxebarria was awarded for her children’s and young adult literature work Zurtz, published by Denonartean. The jury highlighted the broad and suggestive meaning attributed to the concept of orphanhood in the narrative, which extends beyond its literal interpretation. The novel sensitively explores themes of growth, identity, and the feeling of being different, addressing loneliness, loss, and the connections that can be found with others without resorting to sentimentality. The jury also commended her careful use of language, narrative rhythm, and the strength of her phrasing.
Arrieta, born in Etxebarri in 1963, studied Teaching, Theatre, and Cultural and Social Anthropology. She leads creative writing workshops and organises literary activities for families and educators, having published numerous works for both children and adults.
Award for illustration of literary work: Kike Ibáñez
Kike Ibáñez Fernández was recognised in the category of Illustration of Literary Work for El diablo sobre ruedas, published by Abuenpaso. The jury noted the extraordinary artistic and narrative quality of the work, emphasising that the illustrations enhance the text's message and enrich the emotional experience of the reader. The proposal combines a fresh, bold, and innovative style with expressive illustrations that encourage imaginative engagement during moments of waiting. The book offers a unique perspective on conflict, addressing the story with indignation and a desire for revenge, while maintaining a visual balance between chaos and order.
Ibáñez, born in Donostia in 1980, is an illustrator, visual artist, and writer. He has worked primarily in children's and young adult literature since 2016, combining drawing, humour, imagination, and social critique in his works. He received the Lazarillo Prize in 2016 for Barrios de Colores, and his work Ciclismo Épico was exhibited at the Bologna Children's Book Fair in 2020.
Upcoming events
The second press conference for the Euskadi Literature Prizes 2026 will take place on 21 October at 11:00 at the Montehermoso cultural centre in Vitoria-Gasteiz, where winners in the categories of Literature in Spanish, Literary Translation into Basque, Essay in Basque, and Essay in Spanish will be announced. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 20 November at 18:00 at the Museo Vasco.
About the Euskadi Literature Prizes
The Euskadi Literature Prizes, awarded by the Department of Culture and Linguistic Policy of the Basque Government, recognise the quality and contribution of literary creation in various categories. Each winner receives a prize of €18,000, with an additional €4,000 available if the awarded work is published in another language. The prizes aim to celebrate creative talent and promote literature, artistic creation, and the visibility of works and their authors.
