Sant Jordi

Gemma Ruiz Palà (Sabadell, 1975) is a journalist and writer. In 2016 she published her first novel, Argelagues (Proa). The book, which was a literary success, tells the story of three women and their struggle—over the course of the 20th century—to make their way in the city while working in the textile factories of El Vallès. The start of 2020 saw the arrival of the author’s second novel, Ca la Wenling (Proa), which portrays a Chinese migrant woman and her family who come to the Gràcia neighbourhood to open a business. Les nostres mares (Proa) is her latest book, a literary celebration of a generation of women who serve as serve as foundational role models. The book won the 63rd Premi Sant Jordi de novel·la 2022, a literary award not won by a woman for 19 years.

Since the age of 21, Gemma Ruiz Palà has worked at the Televisió de Catalunya news service. For many years she worked as a cultural commentator on Telenotícies, and she presently serves as editor in chief.

Her books have been translated into English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Gemma Ruiz Palà adds her name to the list of speakers who, since 2003, have taken part in this honorary act in the city of Barcelona, organised by Biblioteques de Barcelona: Quino, José Saramago, Martí de Riquer, Emili Teixidor, Antonio Tabucchi, Alessandro Baricco, Bernardo Atxaga, José Luis Sampedro, Josep Maria Castellet, Raimon, Albert Sánchez Piñol, Donna Leon, John Banville, Claudio Magris, Yasmina Reza, Almudena Grandes, Mia Couto, Empar Moliner, Irene Vallejo and last year's speaker, Imma Monsó.