European Teen Jury Awards Portuguese Author Lídia Jorge’s ‘Misericórdia’

When a group of European teenagers convened in Santiago de Compostela this week, their choice of a Portuguese novel underscored a fresh wave of youthful interest in Lisbon’s literary voice and in themes that cross borders and generations.

Key Takeaways for Portugal

• Awarded by 10 secondary schools spanning Galicia, Madrid, France, Germany and the UK

• Ceremony date: 21 January at Escola Secundária Rosalía de Castro

• Winning work: Misericórdia (Publicações D. Quixote, 2022)

• Author: Lídia Jorge, also Pessoa Prize 2025 laureate

• Themes: ageing, compassion and inter-generational dialogue

Youthful Jury Champions Empathy

A jury of 16- to 18-year-olds has propelled Misericórdia into the international spotlight, praising its lyrical thread and a renewed vision of elderly lives. Unlike traditional panels, these students vote openly on titles from Galicia, Spain and beyond—elevating the voices they find emotionally resonant and relevant to their own experiences.

The decision highlights a Luso-Galician cultural link that stretches from Minho to Porto and over the border along the Camino de Santiago. For Portuguese readers, this is more than a literary nod: it signals a youth-driven appetite for narratives that bridge national and generational divides.

Evolving Legacy of the San Clemente Award

Founded in 1995, the Juan de San Clemente prize was born to ignite a passion for reading among ensino secundário students. Now entering its 29th edition, the award—officially the San Clemente Rosalía-Abanca—has showcased names such as José Saramago, Mario Vargas Llosa and Haruki Murakami.

What sets it apart is its student jury model, which expanded this year to include ten schools across four countries. That cross-border structure mirrors Portugal’s own efforts to promote its writers abroad and encourages a pan-European literary dialogue.

Unfolding the Narrative of Misericórdia

Conceived at the behest of Jorge’s late mother—who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic—Misericórdia explores life in a coastal care home through multiple perspectives: residents, nurses and visiting family.

Critics have hailed its polyphonic structure and its celebration of everyday kindness. Jorge herself describes the book as “a testament to the splendour of life,” rejecting any notion that it dwells on mortality rather than resilience and human connection.

Resonance Across Iberia and Beyond

Portuguese publishers have reported a sales uptick since the announcement, with distributors in Madrid and Barcelona quickly reordering. Industry analysts in Porto anticipate a wave of new translation contracts—perhaps stretching to 30+ markets, as has happened with previous laureates.

This victory also opens doors for academic exchanges: discussions are already underway to introduce Misericórdia into Spanish high-school curricula, while Galician students hope to visit Porto’s literary festivals later this year.

Looking Ahead: Jorge’s Next Chapters

Back in the Algarve, Lídia Jorge is balancing congratulations with deadlines for an upcoming essay collection on language and memory. Meanwhile, the teenage critics who propelled Misericórdia to victory will return to classrooms armed with proof that their voices can shape the European literary map—one book at a time.

For Portuguese book lovers, the triumph of a homegrown author before an international student jury offers both pride and promise: proof that compelling storytelling knows no borders and that young readers remain the ultimate gatekeepers of literary relevance.