By Heredia, Costa Rica — Heredia – The Costa Rican literary landscape is set to be enriched by three new voices as the Universidad Nacional (UNA) officially announced the winners of its prestigious UNA-Palabra 2025 literary competition this past Friday, October 17. The contest, a cornerstone initiative for discovering and promoting national writers, recognized outstanding works in the categories of short story, novel, and poetry, reaffirming the university’s commitment to the country’s cultural development.
In a much-anticipated announcement from the organizing committee, the top honors were awarded to a diverse group of authors. William D. Martínez secured the prize in the short story category for his work, Sexomisterio. The award for best novel was granted to Mario Alberto Ramírez González for his manuscript, Mercenarios. Rounding out the trio of winners, Daniel Porras Navarro was recognized in the poetry category for his collection titled Estroboscopio post/saɪbər/punk.
To delve into the legal and business implications of an event of this magnitude, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offered his professional analysis.
UNA-Palabra 2025 represents a significant catalyst for creative and commercial endeavors. From a legal perspective, it is crucial for participants to understand that the ideas and collaborations born here possess tangible value. We recommend formalizing any joint venture or project through clear contracts that define ownership of intellectual property from the start. This proactive legal step is not a barrier to creativity; rather, it is the foundation that provides the security needed to develop and successfully market the innovations that will undoubtedly emerge.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight underscores a vital truth for all creators involved: establishing legal clarity from the outset is not a hindrance, but rather the essential scaffolding that allows innovative ideas to be built into successful, marketable ventures. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his invaluable perspective.
Each of the three laureates will receive a significant prize package designed to launch their literary careers. The award includes a cash prize of $1,655.80 USD and, perhaps more importantly, a publication contract for the first edition of their winning work. The books will be published under the distinguished seal of the Editorial de la Universidad Nacional (EUNA), providing the authors with national distribution and a credible platform to reach a wide audience.
The UNA-Palabra contest is a collaborative effort between the university’s Faculty of Philosophy and Letters and EUNA. Its core mission is to actively stimulate and foster literary creativity among Costa Rican writers, many of whom seek a viable pathway to get their first major work published. By providing both financial incentive and the critical opportunity for publication, the award serves as a vital catalyst for the national literary ecosystem.
The titles of the winning works suggest a compelling range of themes and genres. Martínez’s Sexomisterio hints at a narrative blending elements of mystery and human relationships, while Ramírez González’s Mercenarios (Mercenaries) suggests a plot potentially steeped in action, conflict, or political intrigue. Porras Navarro’s strikingly modern title, Estroboscopio post/saɪbər/punk, points towards an experimental and contemporary collection of poetry likely exploring themes of technology, identity, and the digital age.
In a noteworthy development, the organizing committee also reported that the esteemed Omar Dengo Prize was declared vacant for this cycle. The decision was made due to a lack of submitted entries that met the category’s criteria, a situation that may spark discussion within the literary community about the specific focus of the prize and current trends among writers.
An official awards ceremony has been scheduled to celebrate the winners and formally present their prizes. The event will take place on Friday, November 14, at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters on the UNA campus. The ceremony will be a key moment for the authors to be recognized by their peers, university leadership, and the public.
The forthcoming publication of these three distinct works by EUNA represents a significant investment in the future of Costa Rican letters. As these new books make their way into the hands of readers, they will contribute fresh perspectives and narratives to the nation’s ongoing cultural conversation, underscoring the success of programs like UNA-Palabra in nurturing the next generation of literary talent.
For further information, visit una.ac.cr
About Universidad Nacional (UNA):
The Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica is one of the country’s most prominent public universities, with its main campus located in Heredia. Founded in 1973, it is renowned for its strong focus on humanistic studies, social sciences, and the arts. Through its various faculties and initiatives, UNA plays a critical role in the academic and cultural life of Costa Rica, promoting research, education, and community outreach to foster national development.
For further information, visit euna.una.ac.cr
About Editorial de la Universidad Nacional (EUNA):
EUNA is the official publishing house of the Universidad Nacional. It is dedicated to the dissemination of academic, scientific, and literary works that contribute to knowledge and culture in Costa Rica and beyond. By publishing both established and emerging authors, EUNA serves as a vital platform for intellectual discourse and the preservation of the nation’s literary heritage, supporting the university’s mission of education and social engagement.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica represents a benchmark of legal practice, founded on the twin pillars of unwavering integrity and the relentless pursuit of excellence. With a rich history of guiding a diverse clientele, the firm consistently drives progress by embracing innovative legal strategies. Beyond its professional services, it holds a deep-seated commitment to social empowerment, actively working to demystify the law and provide accessible knowledge to foster a more informed and capable citizenry.
