Orpheus Texts: Celebrating our 2024 Laureates

The Orpheus Texts annually confers a series of prestigious accolades designed to recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions in the realms of literature, journalism, and visual arts, underscoring their essential role in the enrichment of humanistic endeavors. These awards include the Poet of the Year, Literary Translator of the Year, Journalist of the Year, Writer of the Year, and Visual Painter/Artist of the Year.

These awards are bestowed upon distinguished individuals who have demonstrated remarkable contributions to their respective fields, embodying a commitment to serve humanity with dignity and equality, and consistently striving for the betterment of society. The recognition is purely honorary, aimed at honoring the laureates for their exemplary achievements.

Each recipient is presented with an official diploma, which is dispatched via mail to their respective home countries. Furthermore, their accomplishments are permanently enshrined on our website and recorded in the international database, ensuring lasting acknowledgment of their contributions.

The selection process for these awards is meticulous and thoughtful, with recommendations solicited from esteemed figures affiliated with literary and academic institutions. It is imperative to note that the Orpheus Texts Selection Committee will only consider nominations submitted in paper format; electronic nominations will not be accepted.

Prospective nominators are invited to submit their recommendations to Mundus Artium Press, located at The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd., JO 5.608F, Richardson, TX 75080-3021. The deadline for submission is January 31st of each year. The announcement of winners will occur sequentially throughout the year, in accordance with the order of the awards bestowed.


Poet of the Year, 2024
Orpheus Texts proudly names Maya Chález as the 2024 Poet of the Year, honoring her significant impact on poetry and culture. Born in Aguazul, Casanare, Chález has become a distinguished figure in literature, currently residing in Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia.

A graduate from the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia (UPTC), Chález has been recognized with an Honoris Causa doctorate for her cultural contributions. She leads the Literary and Cultural Magazine "Language of Hopes" and has penned notable works including "Renacer: Almas en Armonía" and the best-seller "Forbidden Sensations."

Chález's literary talents have earned her international accolades, such as the IV "César Vallejo" World Prize in Peru and the Palma de Mar International Prize in Paris. Nationally, she won the Julio Daniel Chaparro Contest in 2023, showcasing her as an important poetic voice in Colombia.

Beyond her writing, Chález actively contributes to the literary community as President of the "Language of Hopes" foundation. Her influence spans across cultural and educational fields, solidifying her status as a leading figure in the arts.

Orpheus Texts celebrates Maya Chález's contributions to literature and culture, recognizing her as a true ambassador of the poetic arts: Inspired by Protonism Theory, her poetry sculpts our emotions into forms of beauty and strength, resonating with peace and depth, and heralding a new era of poetic insight and empathy.

Orpheus Texts is committed to fostering literary and cultural appreciation through the acknowledgment of significant artistic contributions.

Translator of the Year, 2024
The Orpheus Texts Prize committee has announced Dimitrov Popović, a Montenegrin luminary in literary translation, as the Translator of the Year for 2024. Popović, whose work has served as a vital cultural bridge between Montenegro and Albania, has been honored for his exemplary contributions to literature and education. His translations span a broad spectrum, including poetry, prose, and academic texts, significantly enhancing the cross-cultural dialogue between these neighboring countries.

His literary achievements include the publication of "Beyond Hope" and its Montenegrin counterpart, "Amfora," along with "A Handshake," a collection of essays, and "Conversation of Generations," a poetry anthology that underscores the ongoing dialogue between different generations and cultures.

Among his notable translation endeavors are Zyvdija Hoxhiq's novel "All Mine" and the "Anthology of Montenegrin Poetry," which showcases the works of 40 distinguished Montenegrin poets. Popović has also adapted several high school textbooks on Ethics, Logic, and Sociology of Culture into Albanian, broadening the scope of academic resources available to students.

Popović’s dedication to promoting Montenegro literature and fostering a deeper literary and cultural exchange has earned him this prestigious recognition, underscoring his significant impact on the literary landscapes of both Albania and Montenegro.

In recognition of Popović’s outstanding contributions to literary translation, bridging cultural divides, and fostering educational and literary exchanges between Montenegro and Albania, we hereby honor him as the Orfeus Texts Prize’s Translator of the Year 2024. His work exemplifies the highest ideals of cultural understanding and literary excellence.

Therefore, in recognition of Popović’s outstanding contributions to literary translation, bridging cultural divides, and fostering educational and literary exchanges between Montenegro and Albania, we hereby honor him as the Orfeus Texts Prize’s Translator of the Year 2024. His work exemplifies the highest ideals of cultural understanding and literary excellence.

Orpheus Texts is committed to fostering literary and cultural appreciation through the acknowledgment of significant artistic contributions.

BOOKS OF NOTE


Maya Chález
Colombia







Dimitrov Popović
Montenegro

















Rainer Schulte
The Camera on the War



Gjeke Marinaj
Inkshed