Julio Travieso Serrano is the 2021 National Prize for Literature

January 7, 2022

Writer and narrator Julio Travieso Serrano received this Thursday the 2021 National Prize for Literature. This was decided unanimously by the jury that convened at the Dulce María Loynaz Cultural Center.

"For the extraordinary merits of his narrative work, the rigor of his prose, where language, imagination and solid structure shine," the highest literary award in Cuba has been granted to Travieso Serrano, according to the jury's statement signed by Miguel Barnet Lanza —in his capacity as president—, Jesús David Curbelo, Emmanuel Tornés, Alberto Marrero and Teresa Melo.

In Julio's narrative work —which includes short story collections and several novels— diverse issues of man and his surrounding environment have been treated with intelligence. "His clean, simple and clear prose is an effective instrument of a narrative discourse of undoubted reach in the context of current Cuban literature," notes a statement from the aforementioned cultural center.

Among his most recognized works are Cuando la noche muera and Llueve sobre La Habana. Several of his titles have been translated into other languages, mainly Italian and German.

He studied Law at the University of Havana and obtained a Master's degree in Sciences from Lomonosov State University in Moscow. Additionally, he earned in 1985 the title of Doctor in Economics from the Latin America Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the former USSR.

His professional career also stands out for teaching, as a professor at the University of Havana, as well as his work in Spain, Russia and Mexico. He is also a member of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba.

Travieso holds the A.S. Pushkin Order, conferred by the Russian State for his body of work.