Jordi Sierra i Fabra, one of the most influential voices in youth literature in Spanish, always says that reading saved his life and writing gave him meaning. It was Ayn Rand’s ‘The Fountainhead’ that was the book responsible for the click in his head as a teenager. «Howard Roark He was a character who challenged the world, who went against the current and defended his vision despite everything. Seeing Gary Cooper playing him on film was incredibly inspiring. That role taught me the importance of staying true to oneself“, of not giving in to the pressures of others to modify your dreams and your values,” he tells ABC.
Six decades later, he still frequently listens to Cooper’s speech on his cell phone and remains faithful to the principles with which he decided he would govern his life from then on: peace, love (“I’ve always been a ‘hippie’,” he says), respect, honesty and hope With them he has forged an extensive and committed literary career, which spans more than 50 years and almost 600 bookswith which he has captivated generations of adults and young people.
«If life were a circus, I would be the bearded woman. “I know I’m different,” he comments with a laugh, referring to the fact that he feels like a rare bird in the union, due to his unique work method and prolific production. «From May to September I have written 9 books. In total, 1,200 pages,” he emphasizes.
For all this, he received the Antonio Sancha award at the Cervantes Institute on November 14 from the Madrid Publishers Association, which Lorenzo Silva, Irene Vallejo, Mario Vargas Llosa and Francisco Ayala have already received, in recognition of his legacy in literature. , especially in the youth, and its unbreakable commitment to readers.
However, this tribute comes at a painful personal moment: two years ago, the writer lost his wifeAntonia, in a tragic accident in Barcelona, an event that forever changed his life and work. “The day I got the news, I felt like a part of myself was ripped away from me,” he confessed. His wife was run over by a driver of truck that tested positive cocaine, a fact that still torments the author, especially because the person responsible never apologized. “What human being kills another, even by accident, and does not ask for forgiveness?” he questioned. «The trial will be next month and they will not let me speak. But I do I’m going to speak, even if they throw me out of court», he stated.
Past and present
Despite this tragedy, the author has continued writing. This year alone he has published ten titles, which once again reflect both his commitment to current topics (“I’m a satellite dish with legs,” he explains) as his passion for music and research. Among them stands out ‘New strawberry fields’ (SM), inspired by his best-selling classic ‘Strawberry Fields’, in which he addresses the impact of the metaverse and virtual escape in young people. Sierra i Fabra explained that she chose this name as a reference to the “new type of addiction” that current generations face, similar to how he addressed drug use in the original book.
‘My rock years’ (Silex Ediciones), for its part, is a work of memoirs in which he recounts his youth as a lover and critic of rock music in a Spain that was awakening the cultural world. Finally, although he admits that he is not very given to reflecting his life in his books, he is ‘The hidden truth’ (Roca Editorial). In this work, a detective tries to discover the true origin of his client, who is the illegitimate son of a family that has hidden his existence.
This plot takes roots in a personal experience of Sierra i Fabra himself, who discovered at 38 years old that his father had also been illegitimate child from a prominent doctor in Catalonia. Despite knowing some of his blood relatives, his paternal family never accepted the author, nor showed interest in recognizing his family ties.
Sierra i Fabra’s work ethic is another of its personal brands. Every morning he sits down to write with a almost obsessive disciplinethe fruit of a deep passion for words and a clear vision of their purpose. “I wake up every day thinking that there is one more story to tell, one more character to discover, and as long as I continue to have something to say, I will continue writing,” he says. His method is relentless: he writes about 10 pages a day, always focused, always tireless. For him, writing is not just a profession, but a way of life. “Writing is my way of being in the world, of being myself, of existing,” he says.
Promote writing in young people
In addition to his literary work, Sierra i Fabra has created a valuable legacy through his Foundation, with offices in Barcelona and Medellín, dedicated to promoting reading and supporting young talents. “I believe in the talent of young people, and I have always wanted to help those who, like me, dream of telling stories,” he explains. For more than a decade, the Foundation has promoted literary contests, workshops and scholarship programs that allow new authors to take their first steps in the world of literature.
With more than half a century of experience, his voice remains as relevant as ever, and his stories, a refuge and inspiration for readers of all ages. «Receiving this award fills me with humility and gratitude. I have done nothing other than follow my passion, which is writing, and help young people discover the power of literature,” he says with emotion. Throughout her career, Sierra i Fabra has shown an unwavering commitment to social issues, justice and, above all, to the awakening of youth consciousness. His work not only entertains; It also confronts and questions a legacy of stories that invite reflection and empathy. «Literature is a powerful weapon. I realized from a young age that it could be used to change ideas, open minds and transform realities,” he says.
#Jordi #Sierra #Fabra #life #circus #bearded #woman
