Mexican novelist and poet Fernando del Paso has received the highest honor in Spanish language literature – the Miguel de Cervantes Prize.
Spanish King Felipe VI gave Del Pasos the award in a ceremony in Alcala de Henares, the birthplace of Spanish literary great Miguel de Cervantes
Del Paso’s best known work is “News from the Empire,” a powerful and encyclopedic novel focusing on the tragic nineteenth century story of Maximilian and Carlota, who reigned briefly as the Emperor and Empress of Mexico.
Receiving the award, which honors a lifetime of literary achievement, Del Paso criticized the federal and state governments in Mexico for using repressive tactics against protestors.
Felipe VI thanked Del Paso for his work and said Mexico was “a great country and friend” that had welcomed many writers who had fled Spain during difficult moments in its history.