Natalia Litvinova Wins II Lumen Novel Prize for 'Luciérnaga'

Natalia Litvinova, a Belarusian writer based in Buenos Aires, has won the II Lumen Novel Prize for her debut novel 'Luciérnaga'. The award, announced on June 4, 2024, in Madrid, comes with a €30,000 prize and the publication of the book in all Spanish-speaking territories.

The jury praised Litvinova's novel for its 'dazzling and moving' voice that explores the history of two women, including the author's own experiences of emigration and war. The novel tells the story of Litvinova's childhood in Belarus, the Chernobyl nuclear accident, and her family's exile to Argentina.

Litvinova, who has been dedicated to poetry for 14 years, explained that the novel was inspired by her own family history and took 10 years to write. She began making notes for the book after a tragic event and a walk by the sea in A Coruña, Spain. The novel is a way for her to give voice to her family's silenced stories and to understand the trauma and memory that shaped her life.

This award highlights the importance of promoting female writers and giving voice to stories of war and emigration, which can help raise awareness and empathy for those affected. The publication of 'Luciérnaga' can inspire more writers to share their experiences, promoting a deeper understanding of the human impact of conflict and displacement.

The jury, including poet Luna Miguel, writer and screenwriter Ángeles González Sinde, and bookseller Lola Larumbe, praised Litvinova's novel for its lyricism, simplicity, and emotional power. María Fasce, literary director of Lumen Alfaguara and Reservoir Books, described the novel as a work that made her smile and cry, and expressed delight in having Litvinova's name in their catalog.

'Luciérnaga' will be published on September 12, 2024, by Lumen. This is the second edition of the Lumen Novel Prize, which received 549 manuscripts from countries including Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Spain, the United States, Peru, and Uruguay.

Natalia Litvinova was born just months after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. Her family emigrated to Argentina in search of a better life, but their path was not without its challenges. Litvinova's novel is a way of reclaiming her lost childhood, using fragments of her memory and allegorical fantasy to fill in the gaps.

The Lumen Novel Prize, founded in Barcelona in 1960, aims to promote creativity and give prominence to female writers in the Spanish-speaking world. This year, 549 manuscripts were submitted from Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Spain, the United States, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay.

The jury highlighted Litvinova's ability to transition from realism to the mythical with naturalness, using humor and irony to narrate a story that had not been told before. 'The memory is a theme in all my books and in my personal life,' Litvinova said, 'because when I left Belarus and arrived in Argentina at the age of 10, I felt that something broke in me and in my family, a crack in which light later entered.'

Natalia Litvinova's win with 'Luciérnaga' highlights her unique voice and the powerful themes of war and emigration. The novel's publication in September 2024 will undoubtedly bring her story to a wider audience, showcasing the resilience and strength of those who have experienced displacement and loss.

Key Takeaways

• Natalia Litvinova wins II Lumen Novel Prize for debut novel "Luciérnaga".
• €30,000 prize and publication in Spanish-speaking territories.
• Novel explores author's experiences of emigration and war in Belarus and Argentina.
• Litvinova's win highlights importance of promoting female writers and stories of war and emigration.
• "Luciérnaga" to be published on September 12, 2024, by Lumen.