Joan Manuel Serrat planted a genista—the yellow-flowered shrub mentioned in his 1971 classic “Mediterráneo”—at the Museum of Paleontology of Castilla-La Mancha in Cuenca, anchoring a cultural ceremony where he also accepted the 35th Glauka Award from the Asociación Amigas de la Lectura.
The Bottom Line
- Joan Manuel Serrat planted a genista shrub at Cuenca’s MUPA museum, referencing the final verses of his 1971 song “Mediterráneo.”
- The Asociación Amigas de la Lectura presented the singer-songwriter with their 35th Glauka Award during a gala at the Teatro Auditorio de Cuenca.
- The event also honored writer Irene Vallejo by dedicating a reed bed in the museum’s gardens to her, celebrating a previous Glauka laureate.
Planting the Yellow Shrub of “Mediterráneo” in Cuenca
The cultural convergence took place on October 26, 2026, when the artist stepped into the gardens of the Museum of Paleontology of Castilla-La Mancha (MUPA). Surrounded by replica dinosaurs, Serrat performed a symbolic planting of the genista—a woody, drought-resistant shrub native to the Mediterranean littoral recognized by its vibrant yellow blossoms. This flora is mentioned in the closing lines of “Mediterráneo”: “Mi cuerpo será camino, le daré verde a los pinos y amarillo a la genista. Cerca del mar.”
Joan Manuel Serrat, protagonista de los Premios Glauka 2026 de Cuenca https://t.co/httLFZTMIF
The initiative formed part of a broader tribute organized by the Asociación Amigas de la Lectura de Cuenca, a group operating since 1987. The outdoor ceremony bridged natural history, paleontology, and musical poetry, offering a tribute to a lyrical legacy.
Honoring Literary and Musical Legacies at the MUPA Gardens
The daytime planting session at the museum extended beyond Serrat’s botanical tribute. The organizers dedicated a reed bed within the MUPA gardens to writer Irene Vallejo, author of El infinito en un junco. Vallejo previously received the Glauka Award in 2021.
Established in 1992 in a tribute to the siren protagonist of one of the books by José Luis Sampedro, the Glauka Award recognizes figures who champion literature and poetry. The Asociación Amigas de la Lectura selected Serrat for the 35th edition of the prize to honor the poetic depth of his lyrics and his contribution to popularizing the work of poets like Miguel Hernández and Antonio Machado.
| Event Milestone | Detail | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Planting Ceremony | Genista shrub planting alongside dinosaur replicas | Museum of Paleontology (MUPA) |
| Literary Dedication | Reed bed dedicated to writer Irene Vallejo | MUPA Gardens |
| Award Gala | Presentation of the 35th Glauka Award to Serrat | Teatro Auditorio de Cuenca |
Reflections on Reading and the Creative Process in Cuenca
Following the afternoon ceremony, Serrat accepted his accolade during a gala at the Teatro Auditorio de Cuenca. Speaking with local journalists ahead of the presentation, the artist dismissed romanticized notions of instantaneous creative output. He provided his perspective on the creative process:
Yo mucho en la inspiración no creo.
The songwriter emphasized that effort and hours of dedication are fundamental for developing artistic activity. Turning to his personal habits, Serrat championed the importance of reading in his daily life, noting that reading is really wonderful.
