MADRID, 7 (EUROPA PRESS)
Spanish poet Luis Alberto de Cuenca (Madrid, 1955) has been named the winner of the XXXII Reina Sofía Prize for Ibero-American Poetry, jointly awarded by the University of Salamanca and National Heritage since 1992, and considered the most prestigious in the field of Spanish and Portuguese poetry.
The jury has praised the quality of his lyrical work characterized by «deep literary erudition and a style that moves between philosophical reflection, exploration of classical culture, and personal introspection.»
In a statement issued by National Heritage, Luis Alberto de Cuenca expressed «enormous joy» upon hearing the news, feeling that this award «is the culmination of his work as a poet» and out of «deep admiration» for Queen Sofía.
National Heritage manager María Dolores Menéndez Company highlighted the «clear and precise style of poetry» of the award winner, who «critically looks at literary tradition and often adopts an ironic or melancholic tone.»
Juan Manuel Corchado emphasized that «his poetic work reflects a profound contemplation of the human condition, history, and collective memory.» He also noted in his poetry «the expressive clarity, irony, and ability to convey emotion through a seemingly simple yet nuanced language.»
Poet and director of the Cervantes Institute, Luis García Montero, highlighted how Cuenca’s poetry builds verses based on cultural references ranging from Greco-Latin mythology to contemporary popular culture, allowing him to create a bridge between the ancient and the modern, between classical culture and contemporary tradition,» as explained in a press conference following the jury meeting.
LA CEREMONIA DE ENTREGA Y LA DOTACIÓN ECONÓMICA DEL PREMIO
The award ceremony, as stated in the document, will be presided over by Her Majesty Queen Sofía and will take place in the last quarter of this year. In addition to the prize money of 42,100 euros, the award includes the publication of an anthology of poems, academic sessions on the awardee, and the study of their work by a prominent literature professor at the University of Salamanca.
Among the jury members, in addition to De la Cueva and Corchado, are the director of the RAE, Santiago Muñoz Machado; the director of the Cervantes Institute, Luis García Montero; the director of the National Library of Spain, Óscar Arroyo; and the winner of the previous edition, Piedad Bonnet.
LA PRODUCCIÓN LITERARIA DE LUIS ALBERTO DE CUENCA
Luis Alberto de Cuenca’s literary production spans various genres and includes poetry, essays, and children’s literature, but he is particularly recognized for his contribution to contemporary poetic landscape. Among other awards, he received the National Critics’ Prize in 1985 for «La caja de plata»; in 1989, the National Translation Prize for ‘El cantar de Valtario’; in 2008, the Teresa de Ávila National Letters Prize; in 2015, the National Literature Prize (Poetry category) for ‘Cuaderno de vacaciones’; in 2021, he won the Federico García Lorca International Poetry Prize; and in 2023, the Jaime Gil de Biedma Poetry Prize for ‘El secreto del mago’.
Furthermore, he is known for his work in translation and literary criticism of Western literature. He has translated texts in classical languages and included works by authors such as Homer, Euripides, and Gérard de Nerval.
