Writer David Uclés to Present His Premio Nadal-Winning Novel for the First Time in Castellón. Benicàssim will host the first presentation of David Uclés’s novel, winner of the 2026 Premio Nadal. The book has already become one of the main literary events of the year. The event is organized with the support of a local bookstore and the publisher.
On Friday, May 22, Benicàssim will host the first presentation in the province of Castellón of the novel “La ciudad de las luces muertas,” the new book by David Ucles, winner of the Premio Nadal 2026. The event is organized by the Noviembre bookstore together with Destino publishing house and will be held at Club Palasiet. The event starts at 19:30. The author, who has not previously visited the region, will personally talk about his work and discuss it with Eric Gras, editor of the Quaderns cultural supplement of the newspaper Mediterráneo.
David Ucles, born in Úbeda in 1990, has become one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Spanish literature in recent years. His career began with the novel “El llanto del león,” which received the Premio Complutense, but his real breakthrough came with the release of “La península de las casas vacías” in 2024. Dedicated to the events of the Spanish Civil War, this book was written following fifteen years of research and sold more than 450,000 copies, placing the author at the center of cultural debate.
Ucles’s new work, “La ciudad de las luces muertas,” takes the reader to postwar Barcelona, where a mysterious power outage happens, triggered by the accidental action of the young Carmen Laforet. Throughout the day, the city becomes a crossroads for different eras, vanished buildings, and real historical figures, including Julio Cortázar, Antoni Gaudí, and Gabriel García Márquez. The book combines elements of magical realism, in-depth historical research, and vivid imagery, which has already sparked a strong response among readers and critics.
In addition to his literary work, Ukles is known as a musician and artist. Over the years, he has funded his projects by performing as a street musician in Santiago de Compostela, and recently launched the podcast 'Las cuatro heridas' on Cadena SER, dedicated to the emotional and social consequences of war and dictatorship. His education in translation and teaching experience in various European countries have allowed him to broaden the cultural perspective of his works. His style is distinguished by vivid imagery and a musical rhythm, which is especially evident in his recent books.
After an active phase of promoting his works, Ukles announced a temporary withdrawal from public life to focus on a new novel set in 1980s Europe, addressing the themes of the HIV pandemic and contemporary art. It is worth noting that interest in cultural events in Catalonia has grown significantly in recent years, supported not only by literary awards but also by political changes in the region — you can read more about this in our coverage of the rise of far-right parties .
For reference: the Premio Nadal is the oldest and one of the most prestigious literary awards in Spain, established in 1944. Winning this competition traditionally opens the door to a wider audience for authors and attracts significant attention from publishers and the media. In recent years, the prize's laureates often become participants in public and cultural debates, and their books quickly make it onto bestseller lists.
