A young author from Apurímac is among the winners of the international literary competition “Macondo sí tiene quien le escriba.” Safrys Reinoso Huaman from Abancay impressed with her story “KAY PACHATA YANAPAQ (La que sirve al mundo).” The Peruvian is one of only 20 award-winning participants. A total of 2,111 entries from 18 countries were submitted.
Young author from Apurímac prevails against more than 2,000 entries
The competition is aimed at children aged between ten and 13 from Ibero-America and the Caribbean. It is organized by the Gabo Foundation and the CAF Development Bank. The third edition's theme is “Imagina tu futuro” (Imagine your future). Children were asked to describe their visions of the future in their own stories.
From 2,111 submitted texts, 680 entries were initially shortlisted. Of these, 114 stories reached the final round. The jury ultimately selected 20 winners. Safrys Reinoso Huaman is the only participant from Peru whose story was awarded.
Safrys Reinoso Huaman comes from Abancay
Safrys comes from Abancay, the capital of the Apurímac department. The region is located in the southern Andean region of Peru and is strongly shaped by the Quechua language and regional traditions.
Her award-winning entry is titled “KAY PACHATA YANAPAQ (La que sirve al mundo)”. Even the Quechua title establishes a connection to the young author's cultural heritage. PeruMagazin provides more on languages, traditions, and regional identity on the Peruvian Culture page.
Trip to Colombia included in the award
The 20 winners will travel to Colombia from September 9 to 13, 2026. The program includes Cartagena de Indias, Barranquilla, Aracataca, and Santa Marta. The trip visits places closely associated with Gabriel García Márquez.
The Colombian writer was born in Aracataca in 1927 and received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. During the trip, the children will participate in cultural activities and meet other young authors from Ibero-America.
Winning stories to be published
All 20 award-winning stories will be published together in an anthology. According to the Gabo Foundation, it will be available free of charge in print and digital format. This will also make Safrys Reinoso Huaman's contribution accessible to an international audience.
Among the winners are children from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. Bolivia and Ecuador are particularly well represented, each with four awarded stories.
Apurímac represented internationally
For Apurímac, the award brings additional international attention. Abancay is located in an Andean landscape characterized by mountains and deep valleys. PeruMagazin provides an overview of the classification of different parts of the country under Regions, Places, and Sights in Peru.
Safrys Reinoso Huaman represents Peru as the only Peruvian winner of the competition. Her story connects her origin from Abancay with an international literary stage.
20 winners from 2,111 submissions
The numbers show the strict selection process. Out of 2,111 submitted stories, only 20 were awarded. Previously, 680 entries had passed the technical selection, and 114 texts had reached the final round.
With “KAY PACHATA YANAPAQ,” Safrys Reinoso Huaman made it into the final selection. Her contribution will also be part of the planned international anthology.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Award
Who is Safrys Reinoso Huaman?
Safrys Reinoso Huaman is a young author from Abancay in Apurímac. She is one of the 20 winners of the third edition of “Macondo sí tiene quien le escriba.”
What is the title of her award-winning text?
The story is titled “KAY PACHATA YANAPAQ (La que sirve al mundo).”
How many entries were submitted?
For the third edition, 2,111 entries were received from 18 countries. 20 stories were awarded.
What do the winners receive?
The winners will travel through the Colombian Caribbean region from September 9 to 13, 2026. Their stories will also be published in an anthology.
Sources and Image Credits
Gabo Foundation: Jury decision and details on the third edition of “Macondo sí tiene quien le escriba,” July 14, 2026.
Gabo Foundation: Information on winners, selection process, Colombia trip, and anthology.
Hero image source: Wikimedia Commons, “Vista panorámica Abancay.jpg,” Vcardenas, CC BY-SA 3.0.
