Havana: Cintio Vitier, the Cuban poet, essayist and novelist, who won the Juan Rulfo prize for literature in 2002 and was considered one of Cuba`s foremost intellectuals, has died aged 88.Local television reported, without providing details, the death of Vitier, who also won Cuba`s National Literature Prize in 1988 and was awarded the title of Officer of Arts and Letters by France.
Born in Key West, Florida on 21 September, 1921, Vitier helped start the journal "Origins," which brought together some of the island`s leading intellectuals.
His most famous works include "From Pena Pobre," and volumes of poems including "Evenings" and "Testimonies."
He was also awarded the Order of Jose Marti by then-Cuban President Fidel Castro for his studies on the Cuban independence figure.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, October 2, 2009, 12:20
