Andorran Writer Pol Bartolomé Donates €1,800 Book Proceeds to Càritas

Pol Bartolomé, a general councillor and writer, handed over a cheque for 1,800 euros to Càritas Andorrana on Wednesday. The funds came from sales of his latest novel, *La font dels diamants*, published by Llamps i Trons for this year's Sant Jordi day.

Bartolomé donated his author royalties to make the project fully charitable. Both he and the publisher covered printing costs, ensuring all revenue from book sales went directly to the cause. The first edition sold out at its launch event about a month ago, with 98 copies gone that day and the final two during Sant Jordi stalls. A second edition is now in production, with proceeds also earmarked for Càritas.

Paqui Barbero, Càritas Andorrana's head of social action, said the donation will support the *Jo com tu* project. Already running in parts of Catalonia, it shifts from traditional food banks to prepaid cards that let families shop at participating supermarkets. This approach respects individual needs, such as diets or intolerances, and reduces stigma. Families undergo a social worker assessment before receiving cards usable at any supermarket in the country.

Bartolomé explained the initiative's scope: "When you do a charitable project, if you only donate profits, you've already covered costs with those profits. Here, we donate all revenue raised, possible because the author and publisher absorbed printing expenses."

The project extends beyond the page. Bartolomé revealed plans for a song of the same name, set for release by late June, produced by Lluís Cartes, mastered by Marc Parrot, and edited by Oriol Vilella. A video clip drawing from the novel's world will accompany it, in a style he described as "Pyrenean, rural and calm."

Present at the handover were Càritas president Anna Maria Villas and Llamps i Trons editor Arnau Colominas.