Aena, the airport management group, has introduced its first literary prize, the Aena Prize for Hispanic American Narrative, with a whopping total of one million euros in awards. The announcement was made by Rosa Montero, the president of the jury, who revealed the five finalists in the competition. Each shortlisted author will receive 30,000 euros, while Aena itself will purchase copies of all the nominated novels to promote their visibility.

The finalists include prominent authors like the Colombian Hector Abad Faciolince, Chilean Nona Fernández, Spanish Marcos Giralt Torrente, Argentine Samanta Schweblin, and Spanish Enrique Vila-Matas. Each finalist's work represents a significant contribution to contemporary Hispanic literature, tackling themes such as political violence, ethical considerations in storytelling, and reflections on the future based on current socio-political contexts. Notably, their statements during the announcement highlight the intertwined nature of literature and societal issues, revealing a commitment to addressing pressing global topics.

This literary award not only aims to encourage new literary voices but also serves as a marketing strategy to promote Hispanic literature globally. The prize amount places it among the most lucrative literary awards, which could attract more international attention to the authors and their works, opening avenues for further engagement with diverse audiences around the world.