Galician Literature Day honors the Galician language and its literary tradition, first inspired by Rosalía de Castro's Cantares Gallegos. Each year it highlights a different author, blending education, culture and civic pride to strengthen Galicia's linguistic and cultural identity.

When is Galician Literature Day?

Galician Literature Day is celebrated every year on May 17.

The following is the list of Galician Literature Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Galician Literature Day?

The celebration was created by the Royal Galician Academy (Real Academia Galega) in 1963, to mark the 100th anniversary of the publication of Rosalía de Castro's Cantares Gallegos (1863).

Cantares Gallegos was the first major literary work published entirely in Galician after centuries of decline, symbolizing the beginning of the Rexurdimento (Galician cultural and literary revival). May 17, the publication date of Rosalía's book, was chosen as the holiday.

The day initially focused solely on honoring Rosalía de Castro, widely regarded as the most iconic Galician poet and a central figure in reviving Galician language and identity.

During the late Franco dictatorship (1939–1975), the public use of Galician was restricted, but the celebration of Galician Literature Day persisted, becoming a subtle act of cultural resistance. With Spain's transition to democracy and the Statute of Autonomy of Galicia (1981), the day gained even greater recognition as a public holiday.

Today, May 17 is a public holiday in Galicia, fully dedicated to its language and literature.

Schools, cultural organizations and institutions across Galicia organize activities to promote Galician writers, books and the use of the Galician language (galego) in everyday life.