Joan Manuel Serrat Awarded 2024 Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts

Joan Manuel Serrat, the renowned Catalan singer-songwriter, has been unanimously awarded the 2024 Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts in Spain. The 80-year-old artist, known for his poetic lyrics and folk-influenced sound, was selected from among 50 candidates of 21 nationalities.

The jury praised Serrat for combining "the art of poetry and music in service of tolerance and shared values." They recognized the magnitude of his artistic career that transcends music and becomes a social reference, with his work bringing together the richness of linguistic and cultural diversity and a desire for freedom. "Serrat's work, with deep Mediterranean roots, is an exponent of his inalienable calling to build bridges between countries and generations," the jury stated.

Serrat expressed his joy and emotion upon receiving the news, seeing it as a fitting way to cap off his long and successful professional career. "I cannot imagine a more suitable manner to bid farewell to my professional career than by receiving this prestigious distinction," Serrat said. He thanked the jury for recognizing his merits and all those who had previously proposed him as a candidate for the award.

Why this matters: The Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts is one of the most prestigious cultural awards in Europe. Serrat's recognition highlights his remarkable contribution to Spanish and Latin American music and culture over his six-decade career, and solidifies his legacy as a pioneering figure in the arts.

Serrat, born in Barcelona in 1943, is considered one of the most prominent figures of modern song. His songs are part of the emotional memory of several generations in Spain and Latin America, in both Catalan and Spanish. Serrat retired in 2022 after almost six decades of live performances, and he received Catalonia's highest cultural award in 2023. The Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony will be held in October in Oviedo, presided over by the Spanish royal family.

Key Takeaways

• Joan Manuel Serrat awarded 2024 Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts in Spain.
• Jury praised Serrat's work for promoting tolerance, diversity, and freedom through music.
• Serrat sees the award as a fitting way to cap off his 6-decade career.
• Serrat is considered a pioneering figure in Spanish and Latin American music and culture.
• The Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony will be held in Oviedo, Spain in October.