Colombian writer William Ospina wins Gallegos prize for novel

Colombian writer William Ospina wins Gallegos prize for novel

June, 4, 2009 - 06:14 pm THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CARACAS, Venezuela - Colombian writer William Ospina won the prestigious Romulo Gallegos International Novel Prize on Thursday in a competition marked by the withdrawal of two Venezuelan authors due to differences with President Hugo Chavez.

Ospina's book "El Pais de la Canela," or "The Country of Cinnamon," was judged the best Spanish-language novel in a field of 274 books. The novel chronicles the adventures of a Spaniard who embarks on an expedition in Peru during the 19th century.

The 55-year-old writer, whose first novel "Ursua" was published in 2005, will collect the equivalent of about US$141,000 when the prize is awarded in August. The prize is awarded by the Romulo Gallegos Studies Foundation Centre, a state-run cultural institution.


Venezuelan authors Federico Vegas and Edilio Pena raised controversy ahead of Thursday's announcement by withdrawing their novels from the competition, accusing the left-leaning Chavez of trying to silence some of his critics within Venezuela's cultural circles.

Pena questioned the jury's objectivity, saying "the political profile of each one of the jury members reveals an intentional ideological leaning."

The Romulo Gallegos International Novel Prize was created in 1967 and named after Venezuelan novelist and former President Romulo Gallegos. It is awarded every two years.

By Simon on Jun 4, 2009, 15:43 in Friendly Talkzone.

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