Cuban writer Karla Suárez received the Iberoamerican Short Story Prize Julio Cortázar

August 28, 2019

The Iberoamerican Julio Cortázar Short Story Prize was awarded, unanimously, to Cuban writer Karla Suárez, for her work El pañuelo.

The story stands out for the excellence of its narrative structure and singular treatment of an apparently insoluble human conflict that confronts its characters, according to the jury's report.

The panel, which evaluated the numerous works presented, was made up of Cuban writers Julio Travieso and Alberto Marrero, and Argentine writer Roberto Ferro.

On this occasion, the Prize awarded a first mention to writer Federico Bianchini, from Argentina, for the excellence of his narrative in the work La fecha.

Mentions were also given to Daniel Averanga, from Bolivia, for Hambre; Yunier Riquenes, from Cuba, for Los niños diferentes; and Il ballo del mattone, by María Marta Ochoa, Argentina.

Present at the ceremony, held at the Centro Dulce María Loynaz, were Alpidio Alonso, Minister of Culture; Abel Prieto, director of the Oficina del Programa Martiano; and Luis Morlote, president of the Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba (Uneac).

Also in attendance were Miguel Barnet, writer and honorary president of the Uneac; Gabriel Figueroa, ambassador of the Argentine Republic; and representatives of the Instituto Cubano del Libro and the Casa de las Américas.