The 2023 National Poetry Award (Spain) winner for the collection Materia, Yolanda Castaño, maintains a diverse professional portfolio spanning creative writing, linguistic analysis, and visual art. Based in A Coruña since 1990, she operates across the intersection of Galician and Spanish literary traditions, contributing as a critic, translator, and journalist while actively participating in television production.
Early Career and Education
Born in Santiago de Compostela in 1977, Castaño moved to A Coruña thirteen years later. Her formal education occurred at the University of A Coruña, where she studied Spanish Philology and Audiovisual studies. Early recognition of her writing abilities arrived in 1993 with the Atlántida Prize, followed by the III Fermín Bouza Brey Prize in 1994 and the II John Carballeira Poetry Award in 1997.
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Castaño has held significant roles within literary organizations, serving as the General Secretary for both the Association of Galician-language Writers and the entity Letras de Cal. Her editorial work includes co-directing the journal Valdeleite alongside Olga Novo. She has contributed to various publications, including Festa da palabra silenciada, Dorna, O Correo Galego, A nosa terra, and El Mundo. Furthermore, she maintains a presence in broadcast media through her involvement with the television program Cifras e Letras, the regional version of the Countdown format produced by TVG.
Major Works and Recent Recognition
Her bibliography includes multiple poetry collections such as Elevar as pálpebras, Delicia, Edónica, O libro da egoísta, Profundidade de Campo, Erofanía, and A segunda lingua. Her career achievements were highlighted in 2022 and 2023 with several prestigious accolades, including the Premio de la Crítica de poesía gallega, the Award Miguel González Garcés, and the Ramón Piñeiro Essay Award. The recognition of her book Materia with the 2023 National Poetry Award marked a significant milestone in her ongoing contribution to contemporary Spanish literature.
Fast facts
- Born: 1977, Santiago de Compostela
- Citizenship: Spain
- Primary Fields: Poetry, translation, painting
- Education: University of A Coruña
- Major Award: National Poetry Award (Spain) (2023)
- Residence: A Coruña
Questions readers ask
What is the primary language of Yolanda Castaño's poetry?
She writes primarily in Galician, though she has also translated her work into Spanish.
Which major award did she receive in 2023?
She won the National Poetry Award (Spain) for her book Materia.
