Panama Launches the International Panamanian Literature Prize, a New Literary Distinction with Global Ambitions
The Inspiration and Reading Foundation and the MyM Reading and Leadership Club have formally unveiled the International Panamanian Literature Prize, a cultural initiative conceived to emerge as the most esteemed, far-reaching, and globally acclaimed literary honor promoted from Panama to the international community.
The announcement took place at the National Library of Panama during a press briefing that gathered journalists, authors, cultural figures, reading advocates, institutional delegates, and notable guests from the literary community.
The International Panamanian Literature Prize has been established as a permanent, high-level cultural platform dedicated to honoring the written word, recognizing outstanding intellectual achievement, and highlighting the transformative power of literature in society.
The initiative aims to position literature at the heart of public conversation by fostering reading habits, boosting author visibility, and cultivating settings where culture is honored with genuine respect, thoughtful engagement, and distinctive appreciation.
The inaugural award ceremony will take place on June 25, 2026, at the National Library of Panama and will bring together writers, cultural leaders, strategic partners, media representatives, and special guests from across the region.
The organizers are pleased to announce that the recipient of the first International Panamanian Literature Prize will be Carlos Malo de Molina, whose literary career embodies the spirit and aspirations of this new distinction.
Carlos Malo de Molina has delivered a remarkable contribution to Spanish-language literature over an exceptional career marked by the publication of sixteen books. His body of work has been praised not only for its literary merit but also for its dedication to encouraging reading and nurturing a broader appreciation of literature as a vital cornerstone of cultural and civic growth.
The award recognizes both his literary achievements and his dedication to sharing knowledge, nurturing talent, building meaningful connections, and inspiring future generations of readers and writers.
As the first honoree of the International Panamanian Literature Prize, Carlos Malo de Molina will stand as the initial figure recorded in the annals of this accolade, laying a significant groundwork for what its organizers anticipate will evolve into a long‑standing cultural institution.
The organizers aim for the International Panamanian Literature Prize to evolve into a yearly reference event for Panama and the wider global literary scene, fostering deeper interaction with books, ideas, and creative thought while paying tribute to those who have devoted their lives to literature and culture.
The Inspiration and Reading Foundation and the MyM Reading and Leadership Club extended their appreciation to Editorial Océano, the media, cultural partners, and every organization and individual whose contribution has helped bring this project to life.
With the introduction of this prize, Panama opens a new phase in its cultural evolution, aiming to secure for literature the recognition it merits as a lasting, honored, and deeply meaningful force in the intellectual and human advancement of society.
