Havana, January 12 (RHC)-- More than 550 works from various Latin American countries are contending for the 60th edition of the Literary Award Casa de las Americas, organized each year by this Cuban cultural institution.

According to a press conference, the texts are divided into the following sections: novels (167), poetry (224), social history essays (28), Brazilian literature (45), Latin studies in the United States (19) and literature for children (101).

The event is prestigious with a jury composed of renowned artists such as Argentinean narrator Victor Goldgel-Carballo, Chilean essayist Lina Meruane, Ecuadorian poet Raul Vallejo and Cuban filmmaker Eduardo del Llano.

According to the researcher Jorge Fornet, these artists show the event´s significance, with six decades in the cultural panorama of the region, continues to be loyal to the ideals of its formation but with a renewing spirit.

Just ten days before the event's opening, scheduled from January 21st to the 30th, the essayist referred to the new challenges of the competition to continue mobilizing the continent's great writers.  However, he said, it is still an event that brings together talented and recognized writers from the continent and excellent literary proposals.

During the event, books from the prize winners in 2018 will be presented and they will hold lecture addresses on core issues related to literature of the region.