Gael U. Proupín Cantelar, a researcher at HISTAGRA, wins the 10th HUME Research Prize, 2025 

 

The 10th HUME Research Prize 2025, organised by the Hume Association for Historical and Social Studies in As Pontes (A Coruña), recognised works that explore the history and society of the region during the post-war period and the Franco regime. 

The jury awarded first prize to Gael Uxío Proupín Cantelar, a pre-doctoral researcher at HISTAGRA-CISPAC, for his work: ‘The Black Army of Autarky: Corruption, Black Market Trading and Interventionism in As Pontes and the Region’. 

He received the highest score from the jury, who highlighted his innovative contribution and his strong social focus. The research demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of the farming population, who developed complex survival strategies in a context marked by scarcity, adulterated rationing and the coercive policies of the Franco regime. 

According to the assessment, this humanised approach sheds light on the experience of farming families, is of clear social interest in exposing practices of structural corruption, and makes a fundamental contribution to local memory and identity by bringing to light a little-explored historical reality. The ‘bottom-up’ perspective, centred on everyday life and real economic dynamics, offers a view that rarely features in traditional historiography.

 

The award ceremony will take place on 3 July at 8.00 pm at Casa Dopeso in As Pontes.

 

Further information: 

http://www.humehistoriaaspontes.com/pre