2025 Ítalo Calvino Prize Call for Entries

The call for submissions for the prestigious 2025 Ítalo Calvino Prize, aimed at promoting Cuban writers, was officially announced alongside the presentation of La tumba del erizo, the award-winning novel by Carlos Esquivel from Las Tunas, which claimed the prize in 2023.

The presentation took place at the Villena Hall of the Cuban Writers and Artists Union (Uneac), as part of the Literary Forum organized by Uneac during the 33rd Havana International Book Fair 2025.

In his introductory remarks, writer Rafael Águila praised the novel’s intricate plot and high stylistic refinement. The story follows a young journalist who arrives in Havana and forms a unique bond with Dulce María Loynaz, an iconic figure in Cuban literature.

For Carlos Esquivel, the novel is a tribute to the 1992 Cervantes Prize awardee—not only to her legacy as a writer and historical figure but also to her enduring impact on Cuban culture. «It is also a tribute to the remarkable people who were close to her and are still alive today. The novel is a fantastic tale of playfulness, masks, intertextuality, and symbiosis, honoring Latin American and world literature.»

The presentation of the previous edition’s winning novel and the announcement of the 2025 Ítalo Calvino Prize call were attended by Marta Bonet, president of Uneac. The competition will remain open until May 1 of this year.

Also on Wednesday, the Literary Forum hosted a panel discussion on the current challenges facing artistic and literary criticism in the largest archipelago of the Antilles.

According to essayist Zaida Capote Cruz, criticism stands as a vital form of public engagement amid an ongoing strategic and ideological struggle against mediocrity and colonial influences. «Criticism requires public dialogue, as it acts as a form of civic participation and public opinion. It not only provides guidance but also represents a critic’s public intervention in debates on society’s most pressing issues. Thus, we are not merely discussing aesthetics and artistic topics but also engaging with current affairs.»

The day’s agenda also included the presentation of the digital book Bajo el signo de Prometeo. Notas sobre el Teatro by Cuban scholar Dr. Graziella Pogolotti, along with the panel discussion Panorama actual de la literatura cubana y latinoamericana.

Moderated by Dazra Novak, president of the Writers’ Association, the panel explored the diversity of authors and works emerging across the region, highlighting common themes that connect creators and literary trends.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez