Moroccan-Born Author Najat El Hachmi Overcomes Racism to Win Prestigious Spanish Literary Prize

Najat El Hachmi remembers her first train trip, from Barcelona to Vic, when she was only 8 years old. This trip was a new start for her, as she had never left the small town where she grew up in Beni Sidel, Morocco. "It was as if I was coming out of anonymity and discovering the freedom to do whatever I wanted without control," she confides to La Vanguardia.

But life in Spain is far from what she had imagined. Very early on, she faces the harsh reality of being a foreigner. She no longer remembers the number of times she has been told "Fucking Moor, go back to your country". Today, Najat has managed to overcome these hate speeches. "I belong to those I love and who love me," she said.

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In addition to racism, Najat El Hachmi is also fighting against the wearing of the veil by Muslim women. "We must have the right to be what we are, with all our diversity and forms. We must stop being sexual objects and enjoy life," argues the writer, who denounces the macho culture and advocates the fulfillment of women.

According to her, wearing the veil called into question her own identity. "I felt humiliated in this situation of submission of women who have to dress in a certain way because they are women," lamented Najat, who admits she has always dreamed of becoming a writer. "Writing was a way for me to free myself, to understand and apprehend things..." explained the winner of the 2021 Nadal Prize. And to add: "My readers helped me heal the wounds of racism... It was very therapeutic".