Every writer, no matter how much he conceals it or says that his true satisfaction is that of enjoying writing (which too), tries or does everything possible to get something literary prize…Whether in provincial contests, sporadic contests, who has participated the most and who has the least on some occasion. In fact, in Actualidad Literatura, monthly we give you the opportunity to learn about some monthly contests both national and international.
Today we tell you which are the most important literary awards that exist. Surely some of you already know them, but we are convinced that some of them also escape your knowledge. Here they are!
Nobel Prize
How not to put this award first!
It is the prize of all prizes: The Nobel Prize for Literature is one of the 5 prizes specifically indicated in the testament of the Swedish philanthropist Alfred Nobel. In his words, the award will be awarded annually "to whoever has produced the most outstanding work in the field of literature, in the ideal direction." The institution in charge of selecting the winner is the Swedish Academy and it is granted the first Thursday of October of each year.
Despite being the prize of all the prizes, how could it be otherwise, it is a prize quite controversial because on some occasions it has ignored great literary authors: Marcel Proust, James Joyce, Kafka or Borges to name only four of them.
Cervantes Prize
One of ours!
Princess of Asturias Award for Letters
The Princess of Asturias Awards for Letters They were previously known as the Prince of Asturias Awards for Communication and Humanities, specifically until 2014, when the Prince of Asturias became king, and his daughter Leonor, obtained the position of Princess of Asturias.
These awards have been given since 1981, to the person or group of people whose creative or research work represents a relevant contribution to universal culture in the literary or linguistic field.
The last granted have been for:
- 2010: Amin maalouf, writer from Lebanon.
- 2011: Leonard Cohen, poet and singer from Canada.
- 2012: Philip Roth, American novelist.
- 2013: Antonio Munoz Molina, Spanish novelist.
- 2014: John Banville, English-language writer.
- 2015: Emilio Lledó Inigo, Spanish philosopher.
Nadal prize
GRA244. BARCELONA, 06/01 / 2015.- Zamora writer José C. Vales has won tonight the 71st edition of the Nadal award with his novel «Cabaret Biarritz», during the gala of the 71st edition of the award that is awarded tonight in Barcelona . EFE / Alberto Estévez
This award is awarded by publishers, which is why it is considered a commercial Literary Award, but no less important.
It is granted from 1944 for the best unpublished work chosen by Ediciones Destino (belonging to Grupo Planeta since the early 90s). Its notoriety lies in being the oldest literary prize awarded in Spain. At present, his endowment is 18.000 euros y it fails every january 6.
The last granted have been for:
- 2010: Clara SanchezBy «What hides your name».
- 2011: Alicia Gimenez BartlettBy Where no one will find you.
- 2012: Álvaro PomboBy «The trembling of the hero».
- 2013: Sergio Vila-SanjuanBy "It was in the air."
- 2014: Carmen AmoragaBy "Life was that."
- 2015: Jose C. ValesBy "Cabaret Biarritz".
- 2016: Victor of the TreeBy "The eve of almost everything."
But among all those granted so far, for me, one of the most valuable in a personal capacity, was for Carmen Laforet, in 1944 (the first of all) for his novel "Nothing".
Hans Christian Andersen Award
The Hans Christian Andersen Award, often referred to as the "Little Nobel Prize" full children's narrative, is an international award that is awarded every two years, in recognition of a lasting contribution to children's and young people's literature. It is awarded in two categories: authors and illustrators.
Winners receive a gold medal and a diploma from the hands of the Queen of Denmark.
As a curious fact I will tell you that just a spanish has had the privilege of having it: Jose Maria Sanchez Silva (author of the well-known work "Marcelino, bread and wine") in the year 1968.
Planet Award
Another Spanish commercial category award granted by Editorial Planeta itself, has been given for quite some time in Barcelona in mid-October.
Whoever wins the Planet Award gets a whopping amount of $601.000. A prize of 150.250 euros is also awarded to the finalist.
The last winners are:
- 2010: Eduardo Mendoza (Spain), by Cat fight. Madrid 1936 ».
- 2011: Xavier Moro (Spain), by "The empire is you".
- 2012: Lawrence Silva (Spain), by "The mark of the meridian" (This novel is the 7th part of the author's Bevilacqua series).
- 2013: Clara Sanchez (Spain), by "The sky has returned."
- 2014: Jorge Zepeda Patterson (Mexico), by "Milena or the most beautiful femur in the world."
- 2015: Alicia gimenez (Spain), by Naked men.
Thank you, but when it reached my mobile, the delivery deadlines were already past.
Very useful article. It is important to know about the most important awards. I would also request information on Contests for beginners. Thanks