## Valeria Guzmán Pérez Wins the 2024 “José Emilio Pacheco” City and Nature Literature Prize
The talented writer Valeria Guzmán Pérez has been awarded the prestigious IX edition of the “José Emilio Pacheco” City and Nature Literature Prize for her work “Un silencio tan blanco.” This announcement was made on Monday, September 30, 2024, by the International Book Fair of Guadalajara.
The jury, composed of Carmen Villoro, Jorge Esquinca, and Rogelio Guedea, praised “Un silencio tan blanco” for its use of “refined language that demonstrates the strength of a poetic craft.” The judges noted that the poems in “Un silencio tan blanco” encourage readers to “contemplate, with great nostalgia and from a clearly urban environment, the nature that emerges and survives in an apparently hostile landscape.” The collection is seen as an invitation to “discover beauty with a sense of wonder and respect, urging reconciliation with the unfamiliar and making it dear and intimate amid advancing civilization.”
### About Valeria Guzmán Pérez
Valeria Guzmán Pérez was born in Russia in 1988 to a Nicaraguan mother and an Ecuadorian father and now resides in Mexico. She excels in poetry, lexicography, teaching, and translation. Guzmán is the director of the “Mujeres al oído” project, which features audio recordings of contemporary Ecuadorian women writers. Her notable works include “Efusiva penitente,” “Ofidias,” and “Animalemas,” along with her translation of “Una historia del azul” by poet Jean-Michel Maulpoix and the anthology “Voces que cuentan. 10 narradoras ecuatorianas.”
Guzmán has been honored with various awards, including the Philosophy and Letters Prize from the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla in both poetry and essay, the Tijuana Poetry Prize, and she has three times been a recipient of the Contestable Funds from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage of Ecuador.
The “José Emilio Pacheco” City and Nature Literature Prize is organized by the University of Guadalajara, through the Environmental Sciences Museum of the University Cultural Center, in collaboration with the FIL Guadalajara. This prize was instituted to encourage literary creation and the aesthetic appreciation of nature. Over its nine editions, the prize has garnered over a thousand entries from around the globe.
The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 7, during the 38th edition of the Guadalajara International Book Fair.
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## Mia Couto Honors African History and Wins FIL Literature in Romance Languages Prize
African writer Mia Couto has been awarded the 2024 FIL Literature Prize in Romance Languages. Couto, a renowned figure in modern literature, continues to capture the essence of African life and history in his works. He emphasizes the importance of preserving culture and memory through storytelling, providing a powerful voice against the erasure of African history.
Couto’s notable works, such as “Sleepwalking Land” and “Confession of the Lioness,” have received international acclaim, solidifying his position as a vital contemporary literary figure. His commitment to highlighting African struggles, identity, and resilience shines through in his narratives, earning him admiration from readers and critics alike.
The FIL Literature Prize in Romance Languages recognizes authors whose work has made significant contributions to the literary landscape in these languages. Couto’s achievements reinforce the importance of literature in bridging cultural divides and preserving diverse histories.
This prestigious honor celebrates Couto’s significant impact on literature and his continued efforts to tell the stories that matter. The award will be presented during the 38th edition of the Guadalajara International Book Fair, acknowledging Couto’s extraordinary contributions to the global literary community.