"Under the Shadow of the Mist" by "Barbacana", First Place in the "I Antonio Mata Literary Contest"

When we decided to hold this contest in memory of our dear friend and colleague Antonio Mata Huete, the excitement and remembrance filled us with happiness because, without a doubt, it was a way to keep him present.

This contest aims to recognize unpublished works, signed under a pseudonym, in any literary format, with hunting and conservation as their theme. It consists of a single prize with a monetary award and a diploma for the winner, as well as two honorable mentions for the next two works selected by the jury.

The jury’s decision was announced on March 20 during the Fair, awarding the first prize in this inaugural edition to the short story "Under the Shadow of the Mist", signed by "Barbacana." We were greatly surprised to discover that behind this pseudonym was our good friend, colleague, and contributor, Laureano de Las Cuevas, a collaborator of our magazine Cinegética+SCI.

"Under the Shadow of the Mist" is a fabled children's story that narrates the adventures of a pair of young roe deer during their first year of life—a work that will delight both young and old alike.

During the award ceremony at the Fair’s “Cinegética Classroom”, its president, Don Rodrigo Moreno de Borbón, presented the winner with a check for €500 and an official diploma for "Barbacana."

We received many outstanding stories, poems, and literary pieces for this 1st Antonio Mata Literary Contest, which fills us with pride. Looking up to the sky, we can only say thank you. Antonio, without a doubt, must be happy, writing eternal verses from the star where he now resides.

Congratulations, Laureano, for this well-deserved award, for keeping Antonio’s memory alive, and for your commitment to valuing hunting and conservation through literature.

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