On August 5, the Ministerio de Educación Nacional and the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) will hold the awards ceremony for the Concurso Nacional de Escritura: Historias de Paz 2026, an initiative that will recognize the talent of 40 authors selected from 6,533 entries submitted from across Colombia. This figure reflects the nationwide reach of the competition and the interest of thousands of Colombians in sharing stories that promote reconciliation and peacebuilding.
This achievement is the result of coordinated institutional efforts in which the Communications Office of the Universidad Industrial de Santander played a decisive role. Through the design and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy, the office led outreach, positioning, and promotional activities across multiple channels and regions, significantly expanding the competition’s visibility and contributing to a record level of participation.
The ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m. in the Main Auditorium of the Virgilio Barco Public Library in Bogotá, where writers, teachers, students, families, and representatives of the education sector will gather to celebrate works that, through literature, foster memory, hope, coexistence, and a culture of peace.
Recognized as one of Colombia’s leading initiatives for promoting creative writing, the competition highlights the growing interest among citizens in transforming experiences into stories that inspire reflection and contribute to strengthening the social fabric. In this edition, thousands of participants demonstrated that the written word remains a powerful tool for building bridges between communities.
Recognition of finalists and winners
During the ceremony, finalists and winners will be honored in the presence of representatives from the Ministerio de Educación Nacional, the Universidad Industrial de Santander, and Mónica Higuera, known as “La Profe Mónica,” chair of the competition’s jury, who will join in recognizing the outstanding works selected in this edition.
The organizers have invited the public to take part in this celebration of literature and culture. Those wishing to attend may complete a pre-registration form to facilitate entry to the event, although attendees are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.
The invitation covers participation in the scheduled cultural activities only and does not include financial support for transportation, accommodation, or any other travel-related expenses.
Through this awards ceremony, the Ministerio de Educación Nacional and the Universidad Industrial de Santander reaffirm their commitment to strengthening reading and writing as essential tools for educating critical, compassionate, and socially engaged citizens committed to building a peaceful country. Likewise, the results achieved in this edition demonstrate the impact of a coordinated institutional communications strategy in bringing educational and cultural initiatives closer to thousands of Colombians.
Event information
Event: Awards Ceremony of the Concurso Nacional de Escritura: Historias de Paz 2026.
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Venue: Main Auditorium, Virgilio Barco Public Library (Avenida Carrera 60 #57-60, Teusaquillo, Bogotá, D.C.).
Attendance: Pre-registration is available for those who wish to confirm their participation in advance.
