Juan Marse wins Cervantes prize

Juan Marse received the top literary prize in the Spanish-speaking world.

Spain, April 24: Spanish novelist Juan Marse, known for his depictions of hardships in the aftermath of Spain`s 1936-39 Civil War, on Thursday received the Cervantes prize, the top literary prize in the Spanish-speaking world.

Marse, 76, bowed his head as King Juan Carlos handed him the medallion at a ceremony in Alcala de Henares, the birthplace of 16th century writer Miguel de Cervantes, Spain`s greatest literary figure and the author of "Don Quixote." After granting him the award, the king praised the author for his depiction of daily life in Spain. "He has known how to depict urban existence and mold characters with heart and their own mind," he said. The prize, announced last November, carries a cash award of 125,000 euros (162,000 dollars). Marse, a Catalan who writes in Spanish, is one of Spain`s best-known and most respected novelists. Many of his books have been made into movies including "Ultimas Tardes con Teresa" or "Last Evenings with Teresa" about an ill-fated romance between a rich young woman and working-class man. Last year the prize, created in 1975 to honour a writer`s body of work, went to Argentine poet Juan Gelman. Peruvian-born Mario Vargas Llosa and Mexico`s Carlos Fuentes of Mexico are among the previous winners of the prize which is presented each April in Alcala de Henares on the anniversary of Cervantes` death. Bureau Report