Catalan writer Josep Vallverdú, creator of 'Rovelló', dies at 103

Josep Vallverdú, the Catalan writer who created the beloved children's classic 'Rovelló', has died at the age of 103, multiple Spanish media outlets reported on July 21, 2026 Source: Excelsior, Infobae. Born in Lleida in 1923, Vallverdú was a towering figure in Catalan literature, producing over 300 works across children's and adult fiction, poetry, essays, and translations Source: El Mundo.

A prolific and versatile author

Vallverdú's most famous work, Rovelló (1968), tells the story of a dog adopted by a farming family and became a staple of Catalan children's literature, later adapted into an animated series Source: El Confidencial. Beyond children's books, he wrote novels, plays, and essays, and translated authors such as Graham Greene, Jack London, and Oscar Wilde into Catalan Source: La Vanguardia.

Language activism and legacy

An ardent promoter of the Catalan language, Vallverdú used his centenary in 2023 to urge Catalans to speak the language more, warning it was "not used enough" Source: Infobae. His death prompted tributes from political and cultural figures. Catalan president Salvador Illa said his passing "leaves a void difficult to fill," praising his "immense legacy" for Catalan letters Source: El Mundo. Òmnium Cultural also honored his work, noting that characters like Rovelló "have made so many generations dream" in Catalan Source: Infobae.