Carmen Mata Presents First Prize of the 1st “Antonio Mata†Literary Contest to the Short Story Under the Shadow of the Mist, by Barbacana
On July 7th, the official award ceremony for the 1st “Antonio Mata” Literary Contest took place—an initiative launched to honor the memory of our dear friend and colleague, Antonio Mata Huete. This contest, born out of deep affection and respect, is a meaningful way to keep his legacy alive among all of us.
The jury’s decision was announced on March 20th during the Cinegética Fair. In this inaugural edition, the winning story was Under the Shadow of the Mist, submitted under the pseudonym Barbacana. To our great surprise, the author turned out to be none other than Laureano de Las Cuevas, a close friend, long-time contributor to Cinegética + SCI, and a passionate advocate for the values we stand for.
The prize—consisting of a €500 check and an official certificate—was awarded by Carmen Mata and her mother (affectionately known as “the Carmenes”) in a moving ceremony that highlighted the importance of literature as a tool to promote sustainable hunting and conservation values.
The winning short story, Under the Shadow of the Mist, is a fabled children's tale that follows the adventures of a pair of young roe deer during their first year of life. It’s a touching story that delights readers of all ages, subtly illustrating the deep connection between nature, wildlife, and humanity.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Laureano, for this well-deserved recognition, for honoring Antonio through the written word, and for helping to elevate the image of hunting with sensitivity, respect, and heart.