The 7lletres prize reinvents itself with the name of Manuel de Pedrolo and consolidates its territorial roots
The 21st edition, presented in Concabella with 30 original works, will award the prize to Cervera within the framework of the millennium and reinforces the projection of the contest within the Catalan literary scene
CONCABELLAThe 7lletres literary prize is entering a new phase with a name change intended to reinforce its identity and cultural ambition. The 21st edition, presented at Concabella Castle, officially adopts the name 7letres. Manuel de Pedrolo Short Story Prize, a decision that explicitly links the award to the writer from Aranyó and strengthens its position within the Catalan literary scene. The presentation on Monday brought together representatives from the Segarra County Council, the Cervera City Council, the Els Plans de Sió Town Council, and the Tàrrega Town Council—the four institutions that promote the project and have renewed their collaboration agreement. This image of institutional unity reinforces a model of cultural cooperation that, from a local perspective, has successfully consolidated an initiative launched in 2006 with the aim of honoring Pedrolo and, at the same time, stimulating contemporary creative writing.
The prize maintains its distinctive format: it recognizes a collection of seven unpublished short stories in Catalan, is endowed with 7,000 euros, and includes the publication of the winning work. This year, 30 entries were received, a figure that confirms the vitality of the competition and the sustained interest it generates among short story writers. The works undergo an initial reading by a specialized committee before reaching a jury composed of prestigious figures from the literary world, a system that guarantees rigor and quality in the final selection.
The verdict will be announced on July 3, 2026, in Cervera, as part of an event that will be integrated into the city's millennium celebrations. The coincidence with this anniversary reinforces the symbolic dimension of the prize and consolidates the Pedrolian triangle formed by Aranyó, Concabella, and Tàrrega. With its new name, 7lletres reaffirms its commitment to growing in prestige and reach without losing the deep roots that have made it possible.