Leonard Cohen Lands Spain’s Top Literary Prize

We will resist the impulse to do a cheesy riff on the lyrics of Leonard Cohen in reporting that the 76-year-old Canadian singer and poet is this year’s winner of Spain’s prestigious Prince of Asturias literary award. News of Cohen’s win hit the wires Wednesday, when the jury released its tribute to Cohen, but he’ll pick up the prize (including a good chunk of change) in the Spanish city of Oviedo this fall. —KA

Reuters Canada:

He won “for a literary work which has influenced three generations around the world by creating a sentimental imagery in which poetry and music are melded into an unchanging worth,” the jury citation read.

Cohen beat a field of 32 from countries including Argentina, France, Austria, Mexico and Britain.

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AP / Chris Pizzello

Leonard Cohen performs at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., in 2009.