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Andorra's 2026 Nit Literària to Honor Cercle de les Arts i les Lletres Without Prizes

Culture Minister Mònica Bonell announces event's continuation as homage after 48 years, with ministry overhaul preparing revamped prizes for 2027 amid stakeholder consultations.

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Key Points

  • Andorra's 2026 Nit Literària honors Cercle de les Arts i les Lletres after 48 years, no prizes awarded.
  • Ministry reviewing prizes for 2027 revamp via stakeholder consultations, research awards continue.
  • Fiter i Rossell prize to shift to published Andorran-focused works; publishers' funding rises to €19,000.
  • Cercle steps down due to members' age and capacity limits; 30 titles produced this year.

**Andorra's Culture Minister Mònica Bonell has confirmed that the 2026 Nit Literària will proceed as a homage to the Cercle de les Arts i les Lletres after 48 years of organising the event, with no prizes awarded that year while a revamped model is prepared for 2027.**

Bonell made the announcement during an institutional visit to the Sant Jordi book fair in Plaça del Poble. She explained that the ministry is undertaking a comprehensive review of the prizes traditionally presented at the event, but time constraints prevent implementation in 2026. Research awards, funded and promoted by the Consell General, will continue as scheduled.

The Cercle de les Arts i les Lletres stepped down after 47 editions, with president Joan Burgués—leading since 1978—citing members' age, the passage of time, and the event's demands exceeding the entity's capacity. At the launch of 2025 Fiter i Rossell winner Álex Garrido's novel *El diable irlandès*, Burgués invoked the "law of life" after 47 years organising the Nit and 55 years at the Cercle, urging the government to ensure swift continuity for the event and its flagship prize. Bonell thanked the Cercle for its work and reaffirmed the executive's commitment to Andorran literature.

The ministry has held consultations with authors, publishers, booksellers, and some donors, incorporating sector demands outlined in the Strategic Plan and Culture White Paper. These include shifting the Fiter i Rossell—established in 1987 with €10,000 government funding and past winners such as Víctor Mora, Jordi Cussà, Sierra i Fabra, Sílvia Soler, Joan Peruga, and Albert Salvadó—from an open call to one prioritising published works with an Andorran focus. No decisions have been finalised on the other seven former Nit prizes, though efforts continue to retain private sponsors and redirect their support toward creation, translation, editing, and promotion grants.

Bonell also revealed a new agreement boosting annual funding for the Associació d'Editors from €12,000 to €19,000, helping cover costs and enable international outreach at fairs including Organyà, Barcelona, Madrid, and Guadalajara in Mexico. She highlighted the sector's strong performance, with 30 titles produced this year and Sant Jordi sales representing a third of annual totals.

Further meetings with institutional and private donors are pending before details of the 2027 model are confirmed, as the ministry prioritises joint work with stakeholders to professionalise and internationalise Andorran literature.

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