Jaime Siles Awarded 35th Queen Sofía Ibero-American Poetry Prize

Jaime Siles has been awarded the 35th Queen Sofía Ibero-American Poetry Prize, a decision announced by National Heritage and the University of Salamanca. This honor recognizes one of the most respected and rigorous careers in contemporary Spanish literature. Since its inception in 1992, the prize has become one of the most prestigious in the Spanish-speaking world, and this year it celebrates an author whose work goes beyond traditional poetry to explore the intersections of philology, philosophy, and science.

Jury spokesperson Raquel Lanseros highlighted the Valencian author’s ability to create verses with remarkable depth, treating language not just as a tool, but as a subject of study itself. The award honors a voice that, since Siles’s birth in 1951, has remained consistently focused on exploring human identity through a style rooted in classical tradition.

Ana de la Cueva, president of National Heritage, described Siles as a figure of "integral humanism," noting his talent for blending critical thought with poetry. Juan Manuel Corchado, rector of the University of Salamanca, praised the author’s versatility, noting his significant contributions as a professor, translator, and essayist alongside his creative writing.

Siles’s career—which already includes the National Literature Prize and the International Generation of '27 Prize—is defined by a refined style that avoids artifice in favor of clear, essential thought. Works such as Canon, Música de agua, and Himnos tardíos demonstrate an intellectual rigor that invites readers to reflect on the foundations of human nature. By choosing Siles, the jury has not only celebrated a distinguished career but also highlighted the importance of poetry that, while complex, remains an essential way to understand our modern world.