In a ceremony that celebrated a lifetime of intellectual rigor and creative mastery, writer and diplomat Pedro Vergés was formally presented with the 2026 National Literature Prize on the evening of 17 February 2026. The event, held at the Carlos Piantini Hall of the Eduardo Brito National Theater, marks the highest distinction in Dominican literature.
The award, co-sponsored by the Corripio Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, was presented by José Luis Corripio Estrada (Don Pepín) and Minister of Culture Roberto Ángel Salcedo. The Corripio Foundation is the sponsor of the event.
In his acceptance speech, Vergés issued a poignant call to action, urging the literary community to combat the “alarming trivialization” of modern literature and to strengthen critical thinking as a “public responsibility”.
Vergés, who had served as Minister of Culture from 2016 to 2018, was selected unanimously by a jury composed of university rectors and cultural leaders.
The panel highlighted his “exemplary prose” and his role in elevating Dominican narrative to new levels of aesthetic complexity. As part of the honors, the author received a commemorative diploma and a cash endowment of two million Dominican pesos.
Verges’ biography
Born in Santo Domingo in 1945, Vergés’s literary journey began decades ago with studies in philology at the University of Zaragoza, Spain. His career has been defined by a dual path of creative writing and high-level diplomacy, having served as the Dominican Republic’s ambassador to Spain, Germany, Japan, and the Organization of American States (OAS).
His most celebrated work remains the 1981 novel Solo cenizas hallarás (Bolero), which won the prestigious Critics’ Prize in Spain and the Blasco Ibáñez International Prize. More recently, Vergés returned to the spotlight with his 2023 novel Ya yo estaré lejos, which earned the National Book Fair Prize that same year, proving his continued relevance in the contemporary literary scene.
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Hoy
Fundacion Corripio
18 February 2026