In 1950, a publishing house appeared in Galicia that would go on to become a symbol of the region’s cultural revival. Galaxia was founded at a time when Galician identity was at risk of disappearing due to strict censorship and repression. Amidst official efforts to erase national characteristics, a group of enthusiasts set out to create not just a publishing house, but an entire cultural movement, one capable of restoring both the language and self-awareness of the Galician people.
From its inception, Galaxia was never limited to publishing books. It was a movement that brought together writers, economists, researchers, and educators. The publisher became a platform for discussing pressing issues related to Galicia’s history, economy, and culture. Around Galaxia, a network of organizations and foundations was formed—such as Penzol, Isla Couto, and Otero Pedrayo—dedicated to preserving and studying the region’s heritage.
Overcoming censorship
During the Franco dictatorship, Galaxia endured constant inspections and bans. Nevertheless, despite intense pressure, the publisher managed to release hundreds of books in Galician. Many of these became powerful symbols of resistance. Among the first publications were “Antífona da cantiga” by Ramón Cabanillas and a new edition of “Guía de Galicia” by Otero Pedrayo, both of which quickly found popularity with readers.
Galaxia also launched periodicals such as the Revista de Economía de Galicia and the cultural magazine Grial, which continues to be published today. These projects helped preserve the region’s intellectual life and support authors whose works could not appear in other publishing houses due to censorship.
Shaping the Language
One of Galaxia’s key missions was to establish a unified orthography for the Galician language. In the 1950s, the region faced true chaos: every author wrote in their own way, hindering the development of literature and education. The publishing house took the initiative to create standards that later became the basis for the official language norm. This step allowed authors to speak the same language—both literally and figuratively.
Over its 75-year history, Galaxia has published about 3,500 books and worked with more than 1,500 authors. Among them are renowned names such as Castelao, Cunqueiro, Dieste, and Celso Emilio Ferreiro. Many of them received national awards for their works published with Galaxia.
Impact on Generations
Hundreds of thousands of children in Galicia grew up reading books with Galaxia’s iconic logo—an open book and a road of stars. Even in difficult times, when education in the native language was prohibited, the publishing house found ways to bring stories and tales in Galician to young readers. This helped preserve the language and pass it on to the next generations.
Galaxia has supported not only writers, but also scientists, educators, and artists. Thanks to the awards and competitions established by the publishing house, new names have been discovered and young talents have been given the opportunity to make themselves known. Today, the Galaxia collection features works by national award winners such as Alfredo Conde, Paco Martín, Manuel Rivas, María Xesús Lama, Xesús Fraga, Marilar Aleixandre, and Paula Carballeira.
Present and Future
In 2025, Galaxia celebrates its 75th anniversary with a major exhibition that has toured all the major cities of Galicia, culminating in Vigo, where the publisher’s headquarters is located. The exhibition traces Galaxia’s journey: from its first manuscripts and the fight against censorship, to modern achievements and the unique design of its book covers. Visitors can see rare editions, learn about the foundation’s history, and get to know the people who started it all.
Today, Galaxia continues to follow its motto “Crear porvir” (“Create the Future”). The publishing house does not distribute profits among shareholders, but instead reinvests in new projects and cultural support. Galaxia is run by attorney Antón Vidal Andión and editor Xosé Manuel Soutullo. Their mission is to preserve tradition while embracing change, so that Galician culture remains vibrant and relevant.
