BBK and Azkuna Zentroa - Alhóndiga Bilbao award for the first time the BBK Gutun Zuria Bilbao Award of Honour, to distinguish the creative work of the essential actors in Basque and international literature annually, via the recognition of a career, specific work or relevant cultural project.
The BBK Gutun Zuria Bilbao award, in the form of a sceptre, will be given to Miren Agur Meabe and Theodor Kallifatides this year. The traditional Basque sceptre becomes an icon whereby both respect and recognition are shown to a person. Furthermore, the award will offer the awardees carte blanche to symbolise a project of their interest in the following edition.
As a complement to this award in future editions, both BBK and the Book Chamber will award a diploma for the translation of an international work by a prestigious author into Basque, for its dissemination among school students.
The BBK - Azkuna Zentroa-Alhóndiga Bilbao relationship goes one step further with this award, as both bodies share the inclusive, interactive and critical mission to foster culture, literature, city and society.
Azkuna Zentroa - Alhóndiga Bilbao fosters artistic projects through accompaniment, understanding and reciprocal reward. Therefore, it acts as a stimulus for creation, aligned with the BBK social work and its ongoing support for the arts in general and literature in particular.