Àlex Garrido Launches Award-Winning Crime Thriller *El diable irlandès* in Andorra la Vella

**Àlex Garrido presents *El diable irlandès*, winner of the 2025 Premi Fiter i Rossell, at Andorra la Vella government exhibition hall**

Àlex Garrido launched his crime thriller *El diable irlandès*, recipient of the 2025 Premi Fiter i Rossell, on Monday evening at 8pm in the government's exhibition hall in Andorra la Vella. The Manlleu-born author received the award last November at the Nit Literària, organised by the Cercle de les Arts i de les Lletres d'Andorra. Published by Edicions del Diari d'Andorra ahead of Sant Jordi, the novel now reaches bookshops.

The story merges noir intrigue with contemporary issues such as immigration, the global rise of the far right, housing shortages and property speculation. It draws inspiration from Donald Trump's statements on immigration and their economic and social impacts. The plot begins with a writer's murder and unfolds across a northern Dublin neighbourhood—visited by Garrido last year and reminiscent of his hometown—along with Catalonia and Andorra, which he portrays as a subtle tribute. Garrido conceived the idea during a February trip to Dublin, outlined initial thoughts there, began writing on 21 June and completed the manuscript on 26 August in Andorra la Vella.

A teacher, former Manlleu mayor and avid crime fiction reader, Garrido highlighted the genre's growing output and readership. He sees literature retaining a "small power of social denunciation," despite declining interest among young people observed in his classroom. Immigration, he said, is a societal necessity undermined by "discourses based on lies" that the left has failed to counter effectively. His political and teaching experiences inform the characters directly and indirectly. He aims for the book to entertain while prompting reflection, leaving readers "challenged."

Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Mònica Bonell commended the work for addressing migration movements and current political discourses through its narrative. She thanked the Cercle for promoting literary creation in the Principality. Cercle president Joan Burgués confirmed the end of the 46-year Nit Literària this year, citing members' age, and called on the government to assume responsibility for the event and ensure the award's future. He expressed gratitude to past juries during 47 editions.

Garrido, who continues writing steadily, has another novel nearly finished. He holds prior awards including the 2014 Ciutat d'Eivissa for *L'illot de la haima* and the 2019 Porreres for *El darrer periple d'en Yamir*, inspired by the Barcelona Ramblas attack.