Carlos Malo de Molina Becomes the First Recipient of the International Panamanian Literature Prize

Panama Unveils the International Panamanian Literature Prize, Introducing a Fresh Literary Honor Aimed at Global Reach

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 was made at the National Library of Panama during a press conference attended by members of the media, writers, cultural leaders, book advocates, institutional representatives, and distinguished 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 will take place on June 25, 2026, at the National Library of Panama and will bring together writers, cultural leaders, strategic partners, media representatives, and special guests from across the region.

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 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.