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Short story contest for girls and boys aged 10-13

We close an unforgettable experience!

The winners of the second edition of the ‘Macondo Does Have Someone to Write About It’ contest lived a magical journey through the Colombian Caribbean, exploring the landscapes and places that marked the life and work of Gabriel García Márquez.

Soon, their stories will be part of an anthology that will be distributed free of charge through the channels of CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Gabo Foundation and the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI).

Didn’t get a chance to participate this time?

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Prize
Terms and conditions
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Who's writing about Macondo?

Meet the winners of the second edition of the contest

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The Gabo Foundation is an Ibero-American non-profit organization created by Gabriel García Márquez in 1995. Inspired by the founder’s legacy and workshop method, the Gabo Foundation’s current mission is to inspire active citizens to ethically and creatively harness the transformative power of research and storytelling.

CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean is a development bank committed to improving the quality of life among all Latin American and Caribbean people. Its actions promote sustainable development and regional integration. They aim to become a green and blue bonds bank, while focusing on the region’s economic and social recovery.

Under the motto “We make cooperation happen”, the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) is, since 1949, the first intergovernmental organization for South-South cooperation in Ibero-America. It currently has 23 member states and 19 national offices, in addition to the General Secretariat in Madrid. In 2024, it received the prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation “for its fruitful work in promoting multilateralism and for representing an important bridge in relations between Europe and Ibero-America”.

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Get ready for a magical adventure!

If your story is chosen as one of the contest’s 20 winning stories, you can win a trip to the Colombian Caribbean with all travel expenses covered—including lodging, meals, and transport—for you and a parent or legal guardian.

You will have an unforgettable experience discovering the places that inspired the life and stories of Gabriel García Márquez, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. These places include: Cartagena de Indias, Barranquilla, and Aracataca—the very town where Gabo was born. The trip is tentatively scheduled for late April 2025, so get ready to travel to Colombia on that date!

In addition, the winning stories will be published in an anthology (both digital and hardcopy). Best of all, this book will be distributed free of charge by the Gabo Foundation and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America. That way, we can all enjoy the wonderful story you are about to create!

Don’t waste another minute. Start writing your story!
We hope you’ll join us on this unforgettable adventure!

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Now, pay close attention to this information!

Short story submissions will only be received through the platform. We want to make sure everyone has equal opportunities and that your stories are submitted correctly.

As for the judging criteria, we will reward the creativity and narrative structure of your short stories. Additionally, we will place great value on the research you have done. Remember what Gabriel García Márquez said: in order to tell something, you have to research and thoroughly know the facts, the characters, and the situations. So, do your research and surprise us with your knowledge and creativity.

Don’t be afraid to let your voice shine when writing your story. Remember to avoid using artificial intelligence (AI) and direct involvement from an adult when writing your story.

Download the complete terms