The Government of the Generalitat awarded the 36th International Prize of Catalonia to the Lebanese writer Amin Maalouf and highlighted “the extraordinary literary value of his work, imbued with a deep ethical sense, which highlights the cultural diversity of identities , languages and countries. .”
The Catalan executive announced this Tuesday the recognition of Maalouf for “his contribution to the recovery of dialogue between cultures and for his critical reflection on the role of Europe in the world as a defender of human rights” . The awards ceremony will take place on December 2 at the Palau de la Generalitat.
Maalouf’s work, with the Mediterranean as a backdrop, constitutes an exaltation of diversity and a profound reflection on the human condition, explains the Government in a press release. “His writings constitute a bridge between civilizations and an attempt to reestablish the bridges of a broken dialogue,” they underline.
Author of works such as “The Rock of Tanios” or “The Shipwreck of Civilizations”, Maalouf received the Prince of Asturias in Spain in 2010.
The International Prize of Catalonia, awarded every year since 1989, rewards people or institutions who have made significant contributions in the cultural, scientific or human field. This year, 74 candidates were presented for a prize worth 80,000 euros.
During the award ceremony, chaired by the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, and in the presence of representatives from the cultural and institutional world, the symbol of the award, which is the sculpture, will be presented to the winner. The claus and the letter by Antoni Tàpies.
