On July 1, 2005 the plenary of the Real Academia Galega, making coincide the celebration of the centenary of its founding, decided to devote the Día da Letras Galegas 2006 to the writer from Sada Manuel Lugrís Freire, for his contribution to the defense of the Galician language. This institution highlighted his vital course of complete devotion to the dignification and normalization of the Galician language, always united to the defence of Galicia, as proved by his participation in the creation of many different political and cultural entities. The essay by Xosé Manuel Fernández Costas highlights the figure of Manuel Lugrís Freire as a forerunner in many aspects: he was the first to make a Galician play in prose, as dramatic author he played a key role in creating a national Galician theatre. He was the first to use the Galician language in public events. He participated in the creation of political and social organizations that led him to collaborate in the drafting of the Estatuto and be elected president of the Real Academia Galega, among other prominent facts.