Andorra Minister Awards XV Carlemany Prize to Toni Mata for *El centre del món*
A jury of Andorran teenagers selected Toni Mata's novel *El centre del món* as winner of the XV Carlemany Prize, earning him 8,500 euros from Culture Minister Mònica Bonell. The award highlights youth involvement in literature.
Key Points
- Mònica Bonell presented the 8,500-euro prize to Toni Mata for his novel selected by 14-16-year-old student jury.
- Jury of nine students from various Andorran education systems chose from 31 submissions under teacher guidance.
- Novel follows 17-year-old Paula exploring money's impact on ambition, family and financial freedom.
- Prize, now in 15th year, promotes reading by engaging youth in literary evaluation.
Mònica Bonell, Andorra's Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, presented the XV Carlemany Prize for Promoting Reading on Tuesday afternoon to author Toni Mata for his novel *El centre del món*. The award, organised by the Government and Grup 62 through Columna Edicions, carries a prize of 8,500 euros.
A jury of nine students aged 14 to 16 from the country's various education systems selected Mata's work from 31 submissions. The teenagers read and evaluated the entries under the guidance of their literature teachers.
The winning novel follows Paula, a 17-year-old girl who becomes aware of money's impact on her life and family relationships. It explores themes of ambition, financial freedom and economically influenced family dynamics.
Bonell praised the prize's role in connecting literature with young readers. She described reading as a tool for personal growth and reflection, allowing people to ask questions, explore different perspectives and form their own views of the world. The minister noted that the award embodies this by engaging youth and helping them better understand reality.
She highlighted the initiative's uniqueness in placing adolescents at the heart of the literary process. Bonell thanked the educational centres, reading council, teachers and jury, calling the young panellists the "soul" of the prize. Now in its 15th year, the Carlemany has established itself as a key effort to encourage reading habits and strengthen young people's ties to contemporary literature.
Mata, a writer, screenwriter and comedian, adds this honour to his established career in young adult literature and modern storytelling.
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Other articles from Catalan-language sources about the same story:
- Diari d'Andorra•
Toni Mata guanya el Premi Carlemany amb ‘El centre del món’
- Altaveu•
Bonell defensa el valor estratègic de la lectura en el lliurament del XV Premi Carlemany
- Diari d'Andorra•
Toni Mata guanya el Premi Carlemany amb una novel·la sobre diners i família
- Altaveu•
"Em sorprèn que els diners siguin tan poc tractats a la literatura quan marquen tant la nostra vida"
- Diari d'Andorra•
Toni Mata: “Pares i mares evitem parlar dels diners als fills”