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 officially announced the creation of the International Panamanian Literature Prize, a new cultural initiative designed to become the most prestigious, ambitious, and internationally recognized literary distinction promoted from Panama to the world.
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 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 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 made a significant contribution to Spanish-language literature throughout an outstanding career that includes the publication of sixteen books. His work has earned recognition not only for its literary quality but also for its commitment to promoting reading and fostering a deeper appreciation of literature as a fundamental pillar of cultural and civic development.
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 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.
