Estepona to Celebrate International Poetry Prize Winner Helena Mariño

Join Estepona in celebrating literary talent and flamenco artistry at the upcoming International Poetry Prize ceremony this October

Estepona residents and visitors have a unique opportunity to experience a high-calibre cultural event this month, as the town hosts the award ceremony for the VI International ‘Ciudad de Estepona’ Poetry Prize. This free event celebrates literary excellence and features a live flamenco performance, making it a highlight for the local cultural calendar.

Estepona Town Hall will hold the award ceremony on Thursday, 15 October 2026. Poet and translator Helena Mariño will receive the prize for her work ‘Mira la palabra cómo brilla’.

An Evening of Poetry and Flamenco

The ceremony is scheduled for 20:00 at the Sala de Conciertos del Centro Cultural Mirador del Carmen. It will feature a performance by bailaor Alberto Sellés, recognised as one of the most promising emerging figures in contemporary flamenco. Admission is free until full capacity is reached.

The jury distinguished Mariño’s collection for its ability to reinvent the home as a refuge of a 'we' that represents both genealogy and future. They highlighted writing that openly embraces its roots and constructs community and shared space through language that reflects on itself. The work also explores the inexhaustible richness of literature and the infinite possibilities of reading.

The jury comprised poets Miriam Reyes and Aurora Luque; singer and composer Ana Fernández, known artistically as La Bien Querida; writer Felipe Benítez Reyes; Marta Fernández; Mariano Acosta, representing Letras Corsarias bookshop; and Manuel Borrás, editor at Pre-Textos.

This sixth edition of the prize attracted over 2,200 entries from all Spanish provinces and nearly all Latin American countries. Original works in Castilian were also received from countries including Canada, Japan, Jordan, the United States, China, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Germany.

About the Winning Poet, Helena Mariño

Helena Mariño, born in Madrid in 1990, is a poet, translator, and creator. Her work is linked to research into artistic languages and invisibilised narratives. She holds degrees in Law and Political Science from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and in Comparative Literature from the Universidad Complutense. She also completed a Master’s in Creative Writing in Spanish at the University of Iowa, where she received a full scholarship.

Her published poetry collections include Este frío no es nuestro (Entropía Ediciones, 2019), Los bañistas (RIL, 2022), Podría poner el mundo (RIL, 2025), and ‘Mira la palabra cómo brilla’ (Pre-Textos, 2026), which is the winning work. She also translated Los hijos de enero by Safia Elhillo, published by Visor Libros in 2022.

Her creative work investigates the meeting points between different formats and languages, post-autonomous writings, and archives. In 2024, she received a grant from the Ministry of Culture for literary creation, supporting the writing of the now-awarded poetry collection. She is currently working on her first essay book, titled Las visitantes.

Mariño also engages with performing arts and performance. She is the creator of ‘Esta línea es un espacio recíproco de intercambio’, a project that received grants for performing arts from the Ayuntamiento de Madrid in 2023. Her proposals have been presented at venues such as Matadero Madrid, La Casa Encendida, the Círculo de Bellas Artes, and the Museo Reina Sofía, as well as at specialised festivals. She has also taught writing workshops and participated in collective artistic research and creation projects.

Spotlight on Flamenco Star Alberto Sellés

The award ceremony will conclude with the ‘Baile cantado’ performance by Alberto Sellés. This bailaor from Cadiz is noted for his prominence in the contemporary flamenco scene.

Throughout his career, Sellés has received accolades such as the Revelation Artist Award at the Festival de Jerez and first prize in the Certamen de Danza Española y Flamenco. He has participated in numerous productions, including ‘Muerta de amor’ (2024), directed by Manuel Liñán.

One of his notable creations is ‘Anairein’ (2023), for which he was nominated for the Premios Max 2023 in the category of best male dance performer. His performance in Estepona will add a scenic dimension to an event that unites poetry, music, and dance, recognising contemporary literary talent.

Estepona's Commitment to Culture

With this latest edition, the International ‘Ciudad de Estepona’ Poetry Prize reaffirms its aim to promote poetic creation and give visibility to new voices in Spanish literature. It also establishes the city as a meeting point for authors, readers, and lovers of culture.