Colombian poet Piedad Bonnett has been honored with the 2026 Federico García Lorca International Poetry Prize, recognizing her significant contribution to Spanish-language poetry. The announcement was made by Granada Mayor Marifran Carazo on October 13 during a jury meeting at the Federico Garcia Lorca Center in southern Spain. The prize received nominations from 14 Spanish-speaking countries.
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At 75 years old, Bonnett expressed her astonishment at winning, especially after receiving another major literary award less than a month prior. In an interview with the EFE news agency, she stated, "I’m astonished, but above all, this prize moves me because it is the Garcia Lorca," noting the esteemed writers who have previously won.
Bonnett welcomed the recognition as an indication that her work is gaining international readership. She emphasized the importance of awards in allowing audiences in Spain and Latin America to explore Colombian literature, which often struggles to gain attention beyond its most renowned figures.
The jury highlighted Bonnett’s skill in addressing themes of loss, fear, fragility, love's contradictions, and the challenges of living without sentimentality. Jordi Doce, representing the Fundación Federico Garcia Lorca, noted her talent for tackling complex subjects with direct and simple language.
Born in Amalfi, Antioquia, in 1951, Bonnett published her first collection, De circulo y ceniza, in 1989. She has since produced works in poetry, novels, plays, and nonfiction focusing on themes such as childhood, love, violence, urban life, and loss. Notable collections include El hilo de los dias, which won Colombia’s National Poetry Prize in 1994, and Todos los amantes son guerreros. Her work Lo que no tiene nombre explores the grief surrounding the loss of her son, who died by suicide in 2011.
Bonnett’s reflections on life and death shape her writing approach. She describes her struggle for a slower pace in writing as a reaction against the noise of the world, emphasizing the need for focus in her work.
Established in 2004 by the Granada City Council, the Federico García Lorca International Poetry Prize honors a living poet whose work has significantly contributed to Spanish-language literature. Past recipients include Colombian poet Dario Jaramillo Agudelo and Spanish poet Jaime Siles, who received the award in 2025.
Bonnett hopes her recognition will prompt a wider exploration of contemporary Colombian literature. The award ceremony is scheduled for spring 2027 in Granada and includes a €20,000 prize (approximately US$22,400), the publication of an anthology of her poetry, and planned literary events centered around her work.