Josep Vallverdú, Dies at 103

Josep Vallverdú, the prolific author best known for the classic children’s novel Rovelló, has died at the age of 103. A central figure in Catalan letters, Vallverdú authored more than 300 works, including novels, memoirs, poetry, and plays, leaving a lasting impact on generations of readers in Catalonia. According to the Agència Catalana de Notícies (ACN), his passing marks the end of a career that defined the resurgence of Catalan-language literature for young people.

Born in Lleida on July 9, 1923, Vallverdú’s early education was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War. Following the conflict, his family relocated to Barcelona in 1940, where he completed his secondary studies. He later enrolled at the University of Barcelona to study Classical Philology within the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. During his university years, he developed close professional and personal ties with prominent figures in the Catalan cultural movement, including Joan Triadú and Antoni Badia i Margarit. In 1947, he began working as a research assistant to Dr. Josep Rubió i Balaguer at the Archive of the Crown of Aragon.

The Sant Feliu de Guíxols Years

In 1949, Vallverdú moved to Sant Feliu de Guíxols in the Baix Empordà region to manage an academy. His seven-year tenure in the town proved instrumental to his development as a writer and intellectual. He joined the editorial staff of Àncora magazine, where he formed a lasting friendship with the writer Agustí Calvet i Pascual, known as “Gaziel.” Vallverdú remained active in the local cultural scene, delivering lectures and writing until 1956. In recognition of his contributions to the community, the Sant Feliu de Guíxols City Council named him an Adoptive Son of the town in 2023.

Revitalizing Catalan Youth Literature

Throughout the 1960s, Vallverdú became a leading force in rebuilding the Catalan literary landscape. He published influential novels such as El venedor de peixos (1960), Trampa sota les aigües (1963)—which received the Joaquim Ruyra Prize—and La caravana invisible (1968). His commitment to the language extended to editorial work, including his collaboration with the magazine Cavall Fort, which began upon its founding in 1961. Chesterton, and Raymond Chandler to Catalan readers.

The Legacy of ‘Rovelló’

Vallverdú’s most recognized work, Rovelló, was written in the summer of 1968 while he was residing in Puiggròs. The story of a rustic dog became a benchmark of Catalan children’s literature, earning the Josep Maria Folch i Torres Prize that same year. Since its initial publication by La Galera, the book has seen over 30 editions and sold more than 75,000 copies, with translations into several languages, including French, Italian, and Russian. The character was also adapted into a 26-episode animated television series. In 2023, Vallverdú published a sequel, El retorn de Rovelló, ensuring the character’s continued presence in Catalan literature.

Key Facts About Josep Vallverdú

• Born: July 9, 1923, in Lleida, Spain.
• Total Works: More than 300 titles across various genres.
• Major Milestone: Author of Rovelló, a classic in Catalan children’s literature.
• Cultural Impact: Instrumental in the 1960s movement to revive Catalan-language youth publishing.
• Recognition: Named Adoptive Son of Sant Feliu de Guíxols in 2023, the year of his centenary.