The Ministry of Culture, Linguistic Policy and Sport has awarded Patricia Martínez Cueto the fourth edition of the Premio Pachín de Melás for her theatrical text in asturian, titled Llugares comunes. Drama rural femenín en trés actos. The jury, chaired by Antón García, the General Director of Cultural Action and Linguistic Normalisation, highlighted her ability to combine tradition and modernity through 'a very fluid rhythm' and 'a very natural, traditional use of asturian'.
This award is part of the initiatives by the Government of the Principality of Asturias to support literary creation in asturian and ensure that works written in this language also find their place on stage. With this prize, the ministry recognises the talent of those who write theatre in asturian and facilitates the publication and performance of their texts.
The winning work further explores the scenic possibilities of the text beyond mere words. The jury noted 'the full command of body expression and musicality' and appreciated the use of audiovisual elements to transition between acts and scenes, as well as the careful selection of adjectives that introduce them.
The jury included Begoña Martínez Cezón, Eloy Antuña Zamarro, José Antonio García Fernández, and Tamara Collar Rodríguez, with M.ª Dolores Rodríguez Vázquez, responsible for promoting asturian at the General Directorate of Cultural Action and Linguistic Normalisation, serving as secretary.
The Premio Pachín de Melás is endowed with €6,000 and aims to ensure that recognised works also reach the stage. In addition to co-publishing the winning text, it includes co-production with a professional company and incorporation into cultural activities promoted by the Principality.
This award supports the creation of theatre in asturian and its staging, allowing texts to have a life beyond the prize itself. The competition is named after the playwright Emilio Robles Muñiz (Gijón/Xixón, 1877-1937), known as Pachín de Melás and founder of the costumbrista movement.
Patricia Martínez Cueto holds a degree in Journalism and has developed part of her professional career in various media outlets. Since 2018, she has been teaching Spanish Language and Literature at the Instituto de Infiesto, where she also maintains a close relationship with theatre through the groups and performances she coordinates at the school.
