Xabier Lete wins Euskadi Literatura Award

Egunsentiaren esku izoztuak (Pamiela), by the Basque poet Xabier Lete, was on Tuesday awarded the Euskadi Literatura Award for its "classicism, strength and discursive richness".

Xabier Lete will receive a cash prize of 18,000 euros as well as another 4,000 euros to help publish his work in other languages. Lete's latest work reflects his life experience during these last few years, recounting his nostalgia for the past, under such topic headings as: love, spaces, tenderness, affliction, death and the dream of the reunion.

Previous years' recipients of the Euskadi Literature award include Jokin Muñoz, Xabier Montoia, Itxaro Borda, Harkaitz Cano and Iban Zaldua.

The Euskadi award to the best translation into the Basque language went to Antton Olano, for Ilargi-harria, translation of The Moonstone, by the English writer Wilkie Collins. "Antton Olano's translation excellently reflects the richness of the story's narrative register as well as its personal and social characteristics", the jury said.

Olano will receive a cash prize of 18,000 euros. Recipients of the Euskadi award for the best translation into Basque language in previous years include Josu Zabaleta, Fernando Rey, Iñaki Mendiguren and Antton Garikano.