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 created as a lasting and prestigious cultural forum devoted to celebrating the written word, honoring exceptional intellectual contributions, and showcasing how literature can profoundly shape 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 is scheduled for June 25, 2026 at the National Library of Panama, where writers, cultural leaders, strategic partners, members of the media, and distinguished guests from across the region are expected to gather.
The organizers proudly reveal that the inaugural International Panamanian Literature Prize will be awarded to Carlos Malo de Molina, whose body of work reflects the vision and ambition that define this new honor.
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 honors his body of literary work as well as his commitment to spreading knowledge, fostering emerging talent, cultivating lasting relationships, and motivating 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 aspire for the International Panamanian Literature Prize to become an annual benchmark event for Panama and the broader international literary community, encouraging greater engagement with books, ideas, and intellectual creation while honoring those who have dedicated their lives to literature and culture.
The Inspiration and Reading Foundation and the MyM Reading and Leadership Club expressed their gratitude to Editorial Océano, the media, cultural partners, and all organizations and individuals whose support has made this project possible.
With the launch of this prize, Panama begins a new chapter in its cultural development—one that seeks to give literature the place it deserves: a place of honor, permanence, and profound relevance to the intellectual and human growth of society.
