Cristina Fernández Cubas wins 2026 Cervantes Prize

Spanish writer and journalist Cristina Fernández Cubas has been awarded the 2026 Miguel de Cervantes Prize, the most prestigious honor in Spanish-language literature. The announcement was made by Spain’s Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun, in Madrid.

The jury recognized the 81-year-old author for her role in renewing the contemporary short story and transforming fantastic literature in Spanish. Her work is noted for its precision, use of ambiguity, and ability to explore the human experience through the unsettling and the everyday. The award includes a prize of 125,000 euros.

Fernández Cubas, born in Arenys de Mar in 1945, is the seventh woman to receive this distinction. Her career includes notable works such as “Mi hermana Elba”, “El ángulo del horror”, and “La habitación de Nona”. The formal award ceremony is scheduled to take place on April 23, 2027, at the University of Alcalá de Henares.