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Leonard Cohen wins top Spanish literary prize

Reuters Jun 1, 2011 – 12:09 PM ET

Leonard Cohen has been awarded one of Spain's top literary prizes

Leonard Cohen won Spain’s top award for authors who do not write in Spanish for his decades of exploring great human issues in song and verse.

The jury of the Principe de Asturias Foundation said the 76-year-old singer-songwriter, poet and novelist was one of the most influential writers of modern times.

He won “for a literary work which has influenced three generations around the world by creating a sentimental imagery in which poetry and music are melded into an unchanging worth,” the jury citation read.

Cohen beat a field of 32 from countries including Argentina, France, Austria, Mexico and Britain. Past winners include German Nobel Laureate Guenther Grass and U.S. playwright Arthur Miller.

The Asturias Foundation awards eight prizes every year for fields ranging from science to the arts. Winners are due to collect 50,000 euros (US$71,870) each at the awards ceremony in October, and a statue by catalan artist Joan Miro.

Leonard Cohen Wins Prestigious Spanish Award
CBC News
Posted: Jun 1, 2011 9:13 AM ET
Last Updated: Jun 1, 2011 1:25 PM ET


Leonard Cohen, the Canadian singer and poet, has won Spain's
Prince of Asturias award. (Prince of Asturias Foundation)

Canadian singer Leonard Cohen has won a Prince of Asturias award, one of eight given annually in Spain for achievement in the arts or sciences.

Cohen will be awarded the Letters prize from the Prince of Asturias foundation for his poetic gifts and thought-provoking songs, a jury announced Wednesday.

"Considered one of the most influential authors of our time, his poems and songs have beautifully explored the major issues of humanity in great depth," the jury said in its citation.

Montreal-born Cohen is known for his songs, including Suzanne and Hallelujah, which have been covered by dozens of influential artists.

His books include poetry collections Let us Compare Mythologies and Flowers for Hitler, and novels The Favourite Game and Beautiful Losers. Earlier this year he issued a compilation book Poems and Stories.

Now 76, Cohen won the Glenn Gould Prize earlier this year, a Canadian award for achievement in the arts. He also is an Officer and Companion of the Order of Canada.

The Asturias prize, with a 50,000-euro ($69,600 Cdn) cash award and a statue designed by Joan Miró, will be presented to Cohen in Spain in the fall.

The Asturias awards are given annually "to reward the scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanistic work performed at an international level by individuals, institutions or groups of individuals or institutions."

Canadian writer Margaret Atwood won the Letters prize in 2008. It also has gone to writers such as Ismail Kadare, Arthur Miller and Paul Auster.

Bob Dylan has won an Asturias prize for his contribution to the arts.

Read 18 comments18

..."his poems and songs explore with depth and beauty the major questions concerning humanity."....

He won “for a literary work which has influenced three generations around the world by creating a sentimental imagery in which poetry and music are melded into an unchanging worth,” the jury citation read.

lizzytysh wrote:

How gratifying for Leonard all of this is... and, even, for so many who have relentlessly tried to get people to listen ~ really listen ~ LISTEN ~ through these many years.

Every award you receive you so deeply deserve, Leonard. I am so happy that you are getting to see all of this for yourself!