Author Juan Goytisolo was on Monday awarded the prestigious Premio Cervantes (Cervantes Prize), which carries a cash award of 125,000 euros (155,118 U.S. dollars), it was confirmed by the Spanish Minister of Culture Jose Ignacio Wert.

Goytisolo had previously won the 2008 National Prize for Spanish Literature for his works that comprise novels, essays, memoirs and travel writing.

His first of over 25 novels, Juego de Manos (The Young Assassins), was published in 1954, a year before he decided to leave Spain, which was then under the dictatorship of General Franco.

Goytisolo published a series of novels in which his social realism stands out. His 1970 work Count Julian was an attack on the conservatism and Catholicism of Spain and, along with all of his works, was banned in his homeland until after Franco's death in November 1975.

He returned to his homeland, but an increased interest in Arabic culture saw him move to Marrakesh in 1996 and he still resides there.

Goytisolo will receive his award on April 23 next year, which is the death anniversary of Miguel de Cervantes, the famous author of Don Quixote and other works.

Recent winners of the award, considered the "Nobel Prize of Spanish literature," include Mexican writer Elena Poniatowska (2013, Caballero Bonald (2012) and Nicanor Parra (2011). Endit

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)