The Consellería de Cultura, Lingua e Xuventude, led by José López Campos, has announced that the Xunta de Galicia will contribute to the tribute for the Letras Gallegas 2027, honouring the renowned author Xosé Neira Vilas. This programming aims to reflect the cultural and intellectual importance of Neira Vilas, known for his influential work, including the celebrated book Memorias dun neno labrego.
This announcement was made during a commemorative event marking the 98th anniversary of Neira Vilas's birth, which featured a continuous reading of his book at the Fundación Neira Vilas in Vila de Cruces. López Campos expressed his satisfaction with the decision by the Real Academia Galega to dedicate the 2027 Letras Gallegas to Neira Vilas, describing him as one of Galicia's universal authors and a pioneer in Galician children's literature, particularly with the character Balbino, who is the protagonist of the most widely read, translated, and published book in Galician literature.
The Consellería is committed to participating in the commemorative events with a high-quality programme designed to promote and value Neira Vilas's significant legacy, which stems from his extensive cultural and intellectual activities. López Campos noted that Neira Vilas was an “unflagging and prolific editor, cultural activist, and chronicler of the emigration experience in Galicia.” He also highlighted Neira Vilas's role as a cultural dynamiser in rural Galicia, particularly through the foundation established upon his return from America.
During the event, López Campos congratulated the Fundación Neira Vilas for its ongoing efforts to keep the memory and spirit of one of Galicia's greatest writers alive. He emphasised that activities like this demonstrate the enduring value Neira Vilas has brought to the literature of the region and the use of the Galician language.
Day of reading
Coinciding with this celebration, López Campos pointed out that the Consellería also marks the Day of Reading. He reaffirmed the Galician Government's commitment to fostering the creation of works in Galician by implementing various support measures for the publication and distribution of books in the language, as well as collaborating on awards such as the Xosé Neira Vilas prize.
In the 2027 budget, the Galician Government has allocated over three million euros to continue supporting the measures outlined in the Plan for the Dynamisation of Reading in Galicia. This includes initiatives to promote reading clubs in Galician, design language dynamisation activities for schoolchildren outside the classroom, and encourage the translation and adaptation of internationally significant works into Galician.
López Campos noted the positive outcomes of these initiatives, referencing the latest report from the Consellería on reading habits and book purchases in Galicia. The report indicates a significant increase in the percentage of Galicians who read books in their language, rising from 63.6% in 2024 to 72%, marking a nine-point increase.
Xosé Neira Vilas
Xosé Neira Vilas (1928-2015), who will be honoured on the Day of the Letras Gallegas 2027, was a celebrated Galician writer and a member of the Real Academia Galega. He received numerous accolades, including the Medalla Castelao and the Medalla de Ouro de Galicia. His literary contributions include a vast array of narrative works, with Memorias dun neno labrego standing out as the most published and translated book written in Galician. First published in 1961, it tells the story of Balbino, a boy growing up in a Galician village who faces the challenges of rural life and the societal conditions of his time. Over the years, it has become a classic of Galician literature, depicting the experiences of a generation marked by emigration and poverty.
