Background and Significance of Rosario Castellanos
Silvia Molina, a renowned Mexican novelist, short story writer, essayist, and editor, was honored with the “Rosario Castellanos” Literary Merit Award for 2024. This prestigious award, established in 2021 by the Mexican Senate, acknowledges outstanding contributions to literature in Spanish or indigenous languages across various genres such as narrative, drama, poetry, and essays.
The Ceremony and Attendees
The solemn ceremony took place in the context of events commemorating Rosario Castellanos’ 100th birth anniversary on May 25, 1925. Castellanos, like Molina, used her words as a tool for social consciousness. The event was attended by poet Mardonio Carballo, Senator Beatriz Mojica Morga (President of the Cultural Commission in the Senate), political scientist Gabriel Guerra Castellanos (Rosario Castellanos’ son), and other senators from the Directorate and relevant committee.
Speech Highlights
Senator Laura Itzel Castillo Juárez, presiding over the Senate, emphasized the power of words and writing, stating that they “weave stories, build plots, and metaphors.” She praised Molina for her commitment to giving voice to women, indigenous peoples, and those historically silenced. Castillo Juárez highlighted Molina’s use of literature to promote Campeche’s issues.
“It is the time for women and writers,” she declared while presenting the award, strengthening and enriching Mexican literature. Beatriz Mojica Morga, President of the Cultural Commission in the Senate, noted the shared emancipatory sense and social consciousness between Molina and Castellanos.
Molina, in her speech, remembered her father, Héctor Pérez Martínez (a writer, journalist, and former Campeche governor), and her mother, María Celis Campos. She expressed her admiration for Castellanos, describing her as a “cultured, disciplined, ironic, and witty” writer who transformed her suffering into literary gold.
Silvia Molina’s Literary Career
Silvia Molina has produced a significant body of work, including novels, short stories, and children’s literature. Some notable works are:
- “La Mañana debe seguir gris” (Joaquín Mortiz, 1977)
- “Ascensión Tun” (Martín Casillas, 1981)
- “La familia vino del norte” (Cal y Arena, 1988)
- “El amor que me juraste” (Joaquín Mortiz, 1998)
- “En silencio, la lluvia” (Alfaguara, 2008)
- “En estado de gol” (México, 2015)
Her short stories include:
- “Lides de estaño” (UAM, 1981)
- “Silvia Molina” (UNAM, 1990)
- “Un hombre cerca” (Cal y Arena, 1992)
- “Recomenzar: antología personal” (ISSSTE, 1999)
- “Cruzar la sombra: cuentos reunidos” (Cal y Arena, 2012)
The “Rosario Castellanos” Literary Merit Award
Previous Winners:
- Silvia Molina, 2024
- Luisa Josefina Hernández Lavalle, 2022
- Elsa Cross, 2021
Award Components:
- A bronze bust de Rosario Castellanos with an inscription
- An award medal related to the prize
- $200,000 Mexican pesos (approximately $10,000 USD) as a monetary prize
Presentation: The award is presented annually during a solemn session in the Mexican Senate’s Plenum.
Establishment: The award was created by Decree of the Congress of the Union in 2021.
