Albert Ruiz Feijóo Wins 16th Encamp Horror Contest Adult Category

Albert Ruiz Feijóo won the adult category of the 16th Encamp Fantastic and Horror Narrative Contest with his story *Pors*. The awards ceremony occurred yesterday afternoon at Encamp's municipal library.

A total of 44 entries arrived across the adult, youth, and cadet categories, in line with recent years. Culture, Childhood, and Youth Councillor Joan Sans highlighted the presence of entries from renowned writers, which raised the competition's standards. He described the steady participation as proof that fantastic and horror genres remain popular, with submissions from outside Andorra, including other Pyrenean regions and beyond.

The adult category saw the highest turnout, with 30 stories. Laia Coma earned second place with *Memento mori*, and Meritxell Colell took third with *La cadira buida*. Ruiz Feijóo, who finished second last year and received the Martí i Pol award in 2017, secured the top prize. He had also won the contest's 10th edition.

Laura Pereira Alonso claimed first in the youth category with *Dolor*, followed by Txell Pérez León in second with *On l’aigua és fosca* and Stanies Vea Uclaray in third with *Karma*. Vea Uclaray had topped the category the previous year.

Cèlia Guitart won the cadets category with *L’arbre maleït*, while Sara Martínez placed second with *Qui el va matar*. Judges left the third spot vacant but praised the quality of the top entries and noted improved participation compared to past years when the category sometimes drew no submissions.

The jury included last year's winner and philologist Laura Casanovas, alongside writers Albert Font, Laura Tejada, Núria Gras, and Sònia Puente. Event organizers read excerpts from the winning stories, accompanied by piano performances from young student Joel Andrés Wang.

Sans emphasized the contest's evolution into a key training ground for authors. Open to residents of Andorra, Cerdanya, Alt Urgell, Ariège, and Pyrénées-Orientales, it bolsters Catalan-language writing in fantastic and horror genres.

Prizes for adult and youth winners were €400 for first, €300 for second, and €200 for third. Cadets received book lots and vouchers valued at €100 and €70.