Quim Monzó wins prestigious literary award

The renowned Catalan writer Quim Monzó has been awarded the Premi d’Honor de les Lletres Catalanes (Honorary Prize of Catalan Letters,) given out by the grassroots pro-independence organization Òmnium Cultural. The prestigious award itself was set up in 1969 as a recognition of intellectual achievement in literature or science.

Quim Monzó’s successful career abroad

The writer has had a colorful career, working as a journalist through the seventies before he began to dedicate himself to the world of the novel in 1976 with his debut The grey whistle in the sewers (L'udol del griso al caire de les clavegueres). In the year 2000 Monzó also won the National Catalan Literature prize, as well as the Golden Letter prize.

He is especially known for his short stories full of irony, customs and manners, with books like El perquè de tot plegat, L’Illa de Maians and Vuitanta-sis contes. He has also had a successful career abroad, with his work being translated into a number of languages. In English, the book O’Clock is a compilation of some of his short stories. Other volumes published in English include A Thousand Morons, Guadalajara, Gasoline and The Enormity of the Tragedy. His works have also been translated into Spanish, French, Swedish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Greek, Albanese, Serbian, and others.

One of the highlights of his career came in the 2007 edition of the international book fair of Frankfurt. Catalan literature was a guest of honor, and Quim Monzó was the writer who presented the delegation with a speech. So far 1,600 Catalan books have been translated into other languages, and the 2007 Frankfurt fair contributed to Catalan literature going international, according to the Ramon Llull Institute (IRL), a public entity which aims to promote Catalan language and culture abroad.

Òmnium Cultural

Òmnium Cultural, the organization promoting the award, has also made headlines - primarily, due to the fact that its president, Jordi Cuixart, has been behind bars since October 16, held in pre-trial prison for his activity heading the group leading up to Catalonia’s declaration of independence. Another well-known name tied to the organization is Quim Torra, the new president of Catalonia, who led Òmnium prior to Cuixart.