Carlos V Spanish Writing Contest:
'The Generation of '27'
A writing contest for students of Spanish to rediscover the creativity of the Generation of '27 and inspire a new generation of literary voices.
Spanish Writing Contest: The Generation of '27
This edition of the 2nd Carlos V Spanish Writing Contest stems from the belief that the Generation of ’27 is not just another textbook chapter, but a living conversation—one that still has a great deal to say to us today.
Known as the Generation of ’27, these young poets came together in 1927 to pay tribute to the Baroque poet Luis de Góngora. In doing so, they championed the richness of Spain’s literary heritage while pioneering new forms of expression inspired by modern European art.
In a world saturated with fleeting images and constant rush, the poetry of Lorca, Alberti, Salinas, and Aleixandre invites us to pause, listen to the rhythm of words, and ask ourselves what it means to create beauty in troubled times.
Carlos V Education is hosting this special edition to revisit that unique moment where tradition and the avant-garde converged. It is a chance to discover one of the most brilliant and groundbreaking groups in Spanish literary history—a compelling reminder of how creativity can thrive even in times of profound change.
«Green, how I want you green. /
Green wind. Green branches.»
Federico García Lorca,
‘Romance sonámbulo‘
(1928)
Winners of the 1st Edition
Terms & Conditions for Spanish Language Students
Purpose
The contest has a twofold objective. First, to introduce students to one of the pinnacles of Spanish literature, fostering direct engagement with original texts, their historical context, and the compelling lives of their authors. Second, to spark participants’ own creativity—encouraging them to discover how the Generation of ’27 wrote while finding their own voice, imagery, and rhythm.
Eligibility
The contest is open to students of Spanish aged 12 to 19, divided into two categories:
Ages 12 to 15
Category A
Ages 16 to 19
Category B
Participation is individual and limited to one entry category per student. Entry is open exclusively to non-native Spanish-speaking students currently enrolled in Spanish language courses at secondary schools or high schools.
Submissions must be finalized and submitted by the supervising teacher on behalf of the participating students.
Categories
Participants may choose from the following creative categories:
Creative Poetry
A poem ranging from 14 to 30 lines in length. Submission format: PDF, Century Gothic font (size 11), 1.5 line spacing.
Flash Fiction
A short story not exceeding 150 words.
Podcast
An audio presentation between 3 and 5 minutes in duration. Submission format: MP3 or WAV (minimum quality: 128 kbps).
Poster Design
An illustration or graphic artwork using any artistic technique, incorporating the contest title. Submissions copied from existing works or downloaded from internet stock image banks will not be evaluated. Graphic designs must be submitted as a digital file in portrait format, sized A4 (2480 x 3508 pixels). Submission format: Portrait JPG, A4 size, 72 dpi (or 300 dpi for high-resolution digital master files).
Theme and Requirements
Works must revolve around the leading voices of the Generation of ’27—such as Federico García Lorca, Luis Cernuda, Pedro Salinas, or Vicente Aleixandre—reinterpreting their artistic world through a modern lens. Submissions will be evaluated on creativity, artistic quality, and the effective use of the Spanish language.
Submission Requirements
All works must be original and unpublished prior to the jury’s decision.
Entries must be submitted in Spanish.
Each participant may submit only one work.
Submissions must include a title for identification.
Materials must be delivered in digital format (PDF, JPG, or MP3/WAV depending on the category).
Awards
1st Prize
A certificate and a full scholarship for a 1-week course in our International Program in Valencia, running from July 4 to July 11.
2nd Prize
A certificate and official school merchandise.
Teachers of First-Place Winners
The supervising teacher of each first-place winner will receive a scholarship for a 1-week Teacher Training Program at our school in Málaga.
Schools of First-Place Winners
An honorary plaque, handcrafted in traditional Seville ceramics, will be awarded to the schools of the first-place winners.
Jury Announcement The jury’s decision will be announced on our social media channels. Additionally, winners and their supervising teachers will be notified directly via email.
Key Dates
September 1, 2026
January 1, 2027
March 21 – World Poetry Day
Winners will be notified via email to their supervising teachers, and the official list will be published on our social media channels in the following days.
Summer 2027 (TBD)
Submission
Submissions must be uploaded by the supervising teacher using the online form (by clicking the button below). Please include the following information:
>Student’s full name and date of birth
>School name and country of origin
>Contest category and entry type
>Teacher’s contact details
Terms & Conditions
Winning entries may be published digitally or exhibited as part of the anniversary events, always giving full credit to the student authors.
Participants grant permission for selected entries to be displayed for promotional purposes (non-profit and free from third-party royalty claims).
Authors agree to submit original work and refrain from using third-party materials subject to copyright fees. Any media used—such as images, audio, or similar content—must be in the public domain, licensed under open terms, or have all necessary copyright clearances.
Submitting an entry to this contest implies full acceptance of these terms and confirmation that parental or legal guardian consent has been obtained for the student’s participation, acknowledging that it involves the publication and display of their work.
Jury and Evaluation Criteria
The jury will be composed of Spanish language teachers from Carlos V Education, professors from the University of Seville, and representatives from FEDELE (Federation of Spanish Schools as a Foreign Language)—all specialists in literature, history, and media communications. The jury’s decision will be final and binding.
Evaluation Criteria
Creativity and Originality (35%)
Language Proficiency and Quality (25%)
Relevance to the Theme (20%)
Presentation and Technical Quality (20%)
