Alberto Avendaño
Alberto Avendaño Prieto | |
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| Born | July 30, 1957 Vigo, Galicia, Spain |
| Alma mater | University of Santiago de Compostela; Texas Tech University |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, writer, translator |
| Notable work |
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| Spouse | Zunilda Garro |
| Awards | 3× Emmy Awards; Barco de Vapor Award; José Martí Awards; International Translator Award (IBBY) |
Alberto Avendaño Prieto (born 30 July 1957, Vigo) is a Galician journalist, writer, translator, and former editor based in the United States. He is known for his contributions to Spanish‑language media, multilingual literary work, and bridging Spanish and U.S. Hispanic cultures.
Biography
Early life and education
Born in Vigo, Galicia, Avendaño studied Germanic Philology at the University of Santiago de Compostela.[1] He co.founded, with Alfonso Pexegueiro, Manuel M. Romón and Antón Reixa, the Grupo de Comunicación Poética Rompente (1976–1982), a major voice in Galicia’s cultural scene.[2] In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he worked as an English teacher, translator, and voice actor in Barcelona, London, Dublin, and Milan.[3] In 1991, he moved to Texas and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Journalism from Texas Tech University.
Journalism career
From 1998 to 2000, he lectured in Spanish Language and Literature at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He became director of El Tiempo Latino, partnering with *The Washington Post*. In 2004, the Post acquired the weekly and appointed him Executive Editor of its Spanish‑language content, a role he held until 2016.[4]
He received three Emmy Awards for video stories and multiple José Martí Awards from the National Association of Hispanic Publications. In 2018, he became President of Latino Impact Media in Washington, D.C.; he was Commissioner for Maryland Public Television (2012–2015) and chair of the Plaza Institute.
Literary and academic activity
An active translator, he has translated works by Poe, Roald Dahl, and Singer into Galician. He has authored poetry, children’s literature, theatre, and fiction, including the novel Maasai (2022) and poetry collections CAOSMOS and ¿Qué hostia dicen los rumorosos? (2022).[5]
Following his retirement from journalism in 2019, he continues teaching, translating, writing, and promoting cultural exchange between Spain and the US.[5] In November 2023, he was elected *académico de número* of the North American Academy of the Spanish Language (ANLE).[5] He frequently gives readings, lectures, and participates in cultural events across the U.S. and Spain.[5]
Selected works
- Aventuras de Sol (1986, children’s fiction, Barco de Vapor) — ISBN 978-84-348-2080-7[6]
- Facer pulgarcitos tres (1979, poetry) — Galician-language poetry.
- Texas (2003, poetry) — ISBN 978-84-8288-620-6[7]
- CAOSMOS (2022, poetry) — ISBN 978-84-122609-8-4, published by Editorial Elvira.[8]
- Maasai (2022, novel) — based on Maasai history and culture.
- Bueno Carallo Bueno (2023, poetry).
Awards and honors
- Barco de Vapor Award (children's literature) – Aventuras de Sol (1986)[9]
- Three Emmy Awards (US television) (2016–2019)
- José Martí Awards (six) from the National Association of Hispanic Publications.
- International Translator Award (IBBY, 2000)
- Elected Académico de número, ANLE (Nov 2023)[5]
References
- ^ "Alberto Avendaño". Texas Tech Univ. CoMC. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- ^ "Alberto Avendaño, escritor e xornalista". A Movida. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- ^ "Alberto Avendaño – ficha de autor". Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- ^ "Our Team – Latino Impact Media". Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- ^ a b c d e "Alberto Avendaño (electo) – ANLE". 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- ^ "Aventuras de Sol". Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- ^ "AVENTURAS DE SOL, AVENDAÑO PRIETO, ALBERTO". Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- ^ "CAOSMOS". Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- ^ "Alberto Avendaño – Editorial Galaxia". Retrieved 2025-07-09.