MEXICO CITY (Mexico): Entries for the 14th edition of the Latin American Indigenous Literature prize are now open.
Writers from Indigenous peoples across the American continent can submit literary works written in their native languages for the prize, according to an official press release.
The call for entries has been jointly given by the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico through the Unit of Living Cultures, Intangible Heritage and Interculturality (UCUVI), the National Institute of Indigenous Languages (INALI), the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI), the University of Guadalajara, and the Department of Culture and the Department of Education of the Government of the State of Jalisco, the press release said.
The award aims to recognize and promote literary creation in Indigenous languages and to strengthen the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities throughout the Americas. The call is open to writers belonging to Indigenous peoples of the continent regardless of their country of residence. Participating works must be written originally in an Indigenous language and can address any theme. The works should reflect or recreate the aesthetic, semantic and cultural elements of the language and community from which the author comes, while contributing to the development, promotion and dissemination of Indigenous languages.
Submissions opened on March 5 and are being accepted until June 21, 2026. The winning work will be announced later in the year and the award ceremony is scheduled to be held on December 4 during the Guadalajara International Book Fair, one of the most important literary events in the Spanish-speaking world, the press release said.
The award, titled the “Premio de Literaturas Indígenas de América” was instituted in 2012 with the support of several cultural institutions, including the INALI and the University of Guadalajara. The award seeks to highlight the literary production of Indigenous authors and promote the use of Indigenous languages as living mediums of contemporary artistic expression.
Since its creation, the prize has become one of the most visible recognitions for literature written in Indigenous languages in the Americas. It is awarded annually and includes a cash prize and the publication and dissemination of the winning work. A jury composed of recognized figures from the literary field evaluates the submissions and selects the winner.
The prize also forms part of broader efforts to safeguard linguistic diversity in the region. Across Latin America, hundreds of Indigenous languages remain in use, many of them facing risks of decline as younger generations shift toward dominant national languages.
By encouraging literary creation in Indigenous languages, the award aims to reinforce their cultural relevance and ensure they remain active in contemporary intellectual and artistic life. Through poetry, fiction, theatre, essays and other literary forms, Indigenous writers are able to express worldviews, traditions and knowledge rooted in their communities.
Cultural authorities involved in the initiative say that promoting writing in Indigenous languages not only preserves cultural heritage but also supports the development and visibility of Indigenous voices in the literary landscape of the Americas.
Details about the award and the rules can be found here.
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