Peruvian poet Mario Montalbetti wins José Donoso Ibero-American Letters Prize in Chile

Peruvian poet, linguist and writer Mario Montalbetti has won the 2025 José Donoso Ibero-American Letters Prize, one of the region’s established international literary honors. Chile’s University of Talca awards the prize annually in tribute to the Chilean author.

The international jury reached its decision unanimously. It praised the “quality, originality and consistency” of Montalbetti’s work, as well as the relevance and influence of his intellectual production in Ibero-American literature and culture. The jury also highlighted his contribution to contemporary literature and the recognition his work has gained in Peru and abroad.

“I am really very happy to be part of this very notable list of recipients of this prize,” Montalbetti said after the decision was announced. He thanked the University of Talca and the committee, as well as the “affectionate” hospitality he had received from Chilean friends, intellectuals and poets. Without that hospitality, he said, reaching this point would have been almost impossible.

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I am really very happy to be part of this very notable list of recipients of this prize.

Born in Lima in 1953, Montalbetti is a poet, linguist, essayist and professor in the Academic Department of Humanities at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. He began publishing early, releasing his first book, Perro Negro, 31 poemas, in 1978. His poetry includes Fin Desierto, Llantos Elíseos, Cinco segundos de horizonte, Ocho cuartetas contra el caballo de paso peruano and the collected volume Lejos de mí decirles.

His later bibliography includes Notas para un seminario sobre Foucault, El pensamiento del poema + Decoherencia and El lenguaje del poema. His work is particularly known for examining language as poetic material. He has also published academic articles on formal grammar and taken part in projects connected to literature, photography, philosophy and contemporary reflection on poetry. Previous recipients include Isabel Allende, Javier Marías, Juan Villoro, Pedro Lemebel, Raúl Zurita, Cristina Peri Rossi, Cristina Rivera Garza, Samanta Schweblin, Mariana Enríquez and Carmen Ollé.

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the quality, originality and consistency of his literary work