Sergio Ramirez wins prestigious Cervantes Prize for 2017

Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-16 23:35:25|Editor: Mu Xuequan
Video PlayerClose

MADRID, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Nicaraguan writer Sergio Ramirez on Thursday won the 2017 Cervantes Prize which is considered to be the highest award for literature in Spanish.

Ramirez is the first Nicaraguan writer to win the award named in honor of the writer of "Don Quixote", which brings also a cash prize of 125,000 euros (147,000 U.S. dollars).

The decision to award Ramirez the 2017 prize was announced the Spanish Government Spokesman and Education and Culture Minister, Inigo Mendez de Vigo.

Ramirez's award follows that of Eduardo Mendoza in 2016 and continues with the unwritten tradition of a Spanish born writer winning the prize one year and a Latin American author winning on the following year.

Ramirez has had a long and varied career, including as vice president of his homeland.

He published his first book "Cuentos" (Stories) in 1963 and dedicated himself fully to writing in 1996 after failing to become president of his homeland.

He has since won several other literary prizes for his extensive work.

Ramirez also writes essays, newspaper columns and short stories and also founded the "La Quincena" literary magazine in his homeland, as well as teaching as a visiting professor in universities in the United States and Europe.

He will receive the award in a ceremony at the University of Alcala, close to Madrid on April 23.

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011105091367579381