Le roi fait appel à Ana María Matute pour saluer le 75e anniversaire de la récompense: "Celui qui n'invente pas, ne vit pas"

The 75th anniversary celebration of Spain’s prestigious Planeta Prize took place in Barcelona on October 15, 2026, marking a milestone for the literary award. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia attended the event, adding a layer of institutional prestige to the evening. The ceremony was held at the Fira de Barcelona venue, which had been transformed into an elegant setting reminiscent of a Victorian salon with lighting and decor inspired by literature. The event featured notable attendees, including prominent figures from various fields. Queen Letizia wore an elegant black dress, signaling a shift towards darker tones in women's fashion at such occasions. Among the guests were Boris Izaguirre, who appeared in a tuxedo with a bow tie, and Luis del Olmo, nearing his 90th birthday. The evening included a menu featuring dishes like wild turbot served by chef Semon. King Felipe VI delivered a speech in Catalan before switching to Spanish, highlighting the significance of the 75th anniversary. He praised the prize's resilience and its role in fostering reading culture in Spain since its inception in 1952 by Juan Manuel Lara. The king referenced several notable authors who have received the award, including Mercedes Salisachs, Juan Marsé, and Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, emphasizing how their works reflect different periods in Spanish history. He quoted Ana María Matute, a recipient of the Planeta Prize in 1954, saying, “The one who does not invent does not live.” This quote underscored the importance of creativity and imagination in literature. The king noted that the prize has evolved alongside Spanish literature, offering diverse perspectives that help understand the nation’s transformation over time. The event also saw the organization successfully transforming the industrial space into a refined environment, with lighting resembling flickering candles and a string quartet providing musical accompaniment. The attendance of high-profile individuals and the royal family contributed to the overall atmosphere of elegance and significance. The ceremony highlighted the continued relevance of the Planeta Prize, which remains the best-funded literary award in Spain, offering a million euros to its recipients. The event celebrated not only the past achievements of the prize but also its ongoing contribution to literature and cultural enrichment.