Alfonso García Ramos to be Honoured on 2026 Day of Canarian Letters

Alfonso García Ramos will be honoured on the Day of Canarian Letters in 2026. The proposal to make the writer, journalist, and critic the focus of the annual celebration will be presented to the Governing Council by the Canarian Government's Ministry of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture.

A committee of experts chose García Ramos after reviewing suggestions from various cultural and scientific organisations. The committee members were José Ramos Arteaga, Alicia Llarena González, Beatriz Morales Fernández, Katya Vázquez Schröder, Humberto Hernández Hernández, María Isabel García Bolta, Marcos Martín Hormiga, Eduardo García Rojas, and Lázaro Santana Nuez.

Since 2006, the Day of Canarian Letters has celebrated a key figure from the Canary Islands' literary history each year. Over the following twelve months, a range of activities are organised to promote their work and lasting impact.

The day itself always begins on February 21st with an official ceremony marking the anniversary of José de Viera y Clavijo's death in 1813. In recent years, the celebration has highlighted significant authors like Ángel Guerra and Alonso Quesada.

Alfonso García Ramos, who lived from 1930 to 1980, was a writer, journalist, and literary critic from Tenerife. He is regarded as one of the most important voices in Canarian literature from the latter half of the 20th century. Born in Garachico, his early life was marked by a keen awareness of the social and cultural landscape of the Canary Islands, a theme that would permeate his writing.

After studying Philosophy and Letters at the University of La Laguna and later in Madrid, he embarked on a notable career in journalism. He directed the magazine Gaceta de Arte and contributed regularly to publications such as La Tarde, El Día, and La Gaceta del Norte. In these roles, he was known for his intellectual depth and critical insights, consistently addressing issues of Canarian identity and the place of art in modern society.

García Ramos gained recognition for his novel Guad (1971), which is considered a landmark of modern Canarian literature. The book explores themes of island life, the tension between tradition and progress, and the search for meaning in a changing world, all conveyed through a style that is both understated, poetic, and deeply thoughtful. His writing is distinguished by its refined prose, an existential and humanistic tone, and its skill in capturing the interplay between local experiences and universal concerns.

Beyond his literary achievements, he was an intellectual deeply invested in the culture of his homeland. He played an active role in Tenerife's cultural scene, supported publishing initiatives, and contributed to discussions about modernity in the Canary Islands during the later years of Franco's rule and the subsequent transition to democracy.

His untimely death in 1980 left a legacy of a concise yet influential body of work. His intellectual integrity made him an inspiration for future generations of writers in the Canary Islands.