The Aurelio Espinosa Pólit National Prize for Literature

The Aurelio Espinosa Pólit National Prize for Literature, named after the Ecuadorian writer (1894-1961), is a prestigious literary award presented annually by the School of Language and Literature at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. It recognizes outstanding Ecuadorian writers in the categories of poetry, nonfiction, short story, novel, and play, making it one of the most significant literary prizes in the country, along with the Eugenio Espejo Prize.

Rules

The Aurelio Espinosa Pólit National Prize for Literature is awarded annually to Ecuadorian writers by the School of Language and Literature of the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. Each year, a panel of judges selects a genre for the award, which includes poetry, nonfiction, short story, novel, and play. If none of the entries meet the requirements for the award, no winner is declared. The award can only be won once in a specific category, but a writer can win it in a different category. The award was not given in 1998 due to the School setting new award rules. In total, there have been ten occasions where no winner was declared, with five of those instances being in the play category.

YearGenreAuthorTitle
2019NonfictionJosué Augusto Durán HermidaMinutas de bulla (published as El abandono de la experiencia)
2018Short StoryAlexis ZaldumbideHabitaciones con música de fondo
2017NovelRoberto Ramírez ParedesNo somos tu clase de gente
2016PoetryAndrea CrespoRegistro de La Habitada
2015NonfictionSantiago Peña BossanoEstética de la indolencia
2014NovelLuis Borja CorralPequeños palacios en el pecho
2013Short StoryAna Estrella SantosLa curiosidad mató al alemán
2012PoetryMarcelo BáezEl mismo mar de todas Las Habanas
2011PlayNo winner
2010NonfictionMaría Helena BarreraMerton y Ecuador-La búsqueda del país secreto
2009NovelHans BehrAcaso si lloviesen.
2008Short StoryElking AraujoAl pie de la letra
2007PoetryCarlos VallejoLa orilla transparente
2006PlayNo winner
2005NovelLucrecia MaldonadoSalvo el calvario
2004Short StoryGabriela Fernández ArgüelloLa noche de Eva
2003PlayRoberto Sánchez CazarQue no haya pena
2002PoetryPaúl PumaFelipe Guamán Poma de Ayala
2001NonfictionCristina BurneoEl sueño de Pierre Menard
2000NovelMarcelo Lalama BasanteLos Nazarenos
1999Short StoryRaúl VallejoHuellas de amor eterno
1998The School of Language and Literature did not award the prize in 1998 as it convened to set new award rules.
1997No winner
1996PoetryNo winner
1995PlayNo winner
1994NovelNo winner
1993Short StoryHuilo Ruales HualcaFetiche y Fantoche
1992PlayNo winner
1991PoetryJorge MartilloFragmentarium
1990Short StoryJuan Manuel Rodríguez LópezFricciones
1989NovelNatasha SalgueroAzulinaciones
1988PoetryNo winner
1987PlayEliécer CárdenasMorir en Vilcabamba
1986NovelNo winner
1985Short StoryRafael Díaz YcazaPrometeo el joven y otras marisquetas
1984PlayNo winner
1983PoetryIván CarvajalParajes
1982NonfictionNo winner
1981NovelNo winner
1980Short StoryJorge Dávila VázquezEste mundo es el camino
1979PoetryJulio Pazos BarreraLa ciudad de las visiones
1978PlayCarlos Benavides VegaLa herida de Dios
1977No winner
1976NovelJorge Dávila VázquezMaría Joaquina en la vida y en la muerte
1975NovelIván ÉgüezLa Linares

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *