Quri Qillqa Prize of Wechua Literature
The Quri Qillqa Prize (Wechua: Quri Qillqa, "Golden Writing") is the most prestigious literary award for Wechua-language literature in Nouvelle Alexandrie. Established in 1720 AN by the Royal Academy of the Wechua Language, the prize is awarded annually to recognize excellence in Wechua literary achievement across all genres, including poetry, novels, short stories, drama, and essays. The award carries a monetary prize of 50,000 écu and a ceremonial gold quipu pendant crafted by artisans in Parap.
The prize is selected by a jury of five Academicians appointed by the Board of the Royal Academy of the Wechua Language, with jury composition rotating annually to ensure diverse representation. Works must be written primarily in Wechua, though the Academy has permitted entries containing limited passages in Classical Wechua, Alexandrian, or Martino where artistically justified. The award ceremony takes place annually during the Festival of Inti Raymi in the month of Solaris (X). Notable laureates include Cusi Rimaq Huanca, the only three-time winner, and Illari Mayta Paucar, the first Coastal Wechu author to receive the prize. The 1745 AN award to Kusi Wallpa Amaru for Wañuy Takikuna ("Songs of Death"), a collection examining the Wechua Sorrow, generated controversy for its graphic depictions of violence during that period.
Laureates
| Year | Laureate | Work | Genre | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1720 AN | Tupaq Yupanqui Rimachi | Intipa Churin ("Children of the Sun") | Poetry | Inaugural laureate; foundational collection of modern Wechua verse |
| 1721 AN | Mama Qhispi Sisa | Urqukunapa Rimaynin ("Speech of the Mountains") | Poetry | First female laureate |
| 1722 AN | Kuntur Sinchi Mayta | Ñuqa Kani ("I Am") | Drama | First dramatic work to receive the prize |
| 1723 AN | Amaru Waman Poma | Pachamama Waqan ("Mother Earth Weeps") | Poetry | Environmental themes; performed at Inti Raymi |
| 1724 AN | Cusi Rimaq Huanca | Takiykuna ("My Songs") | Poetry | First of three wins |
| 1725 AN | Qori Challwa Inka | Hatun Mayu ("Great River") | Novel | First novel to receive the prize; depicts Rodinia valley life |
| 1726 AN | Sumaq Pallqa Mamani | Wayna Punchaw ("New Day") | Short stories | Collection exploring post-Sorrow recovery |
| 1727 AN | Pawkar Killka Apu | Quyllurkunapa Yachaynin ("Wisdom of the Stars") | Essays | Astronomical and philosophical treatises |
| 1728 AN | Wayna Qhapaq Tito | Llaqta Masiy ("My Fellow Countryman") | Drama | Political drama about early federation years |
| 1729 AN | Cusi Rimaq Huanca | Harawi Musuq ("New Love Poetry") | Poetry | Second win; revitalized traditional harawi form |
| 1730 AN | Illapa Wiracocha Roca | Manchay Punchaw ("Day of Fear") | Novel | Historical novel of Atteran persecution |
| 1731 AN | No award given | |||
| 1732 AN | Qhispi Sami Condori | Puriyniy ("My Journey") | Memoir | First memoir to receive the prize; account of Wechu Exodus |
| 1733 AN | Anaqa Urpi Paucar | Killa Llantupa ("Shadow of the Moon") | Novel | Romantic novel; first bestseller in Wechua |
| 1734 AN | Tupaq Amaru Quispe | Haylli Musuq ("New Triumph Songs") | Poetry | Modernized traditional haylli form |
| 1735 AN | Waman Challwa Rimachi | Yawar Mayu ("River of Blood") | Drama | Tragedy depicting Wechua resistance to Atteran rule |
| 1736 AN | Cusi Rimaq Huanca | Kawsaypa Takiynin ("Song of Life") | Poetry | Third win; became Vice-President of Academy in 1738 AN |
| 1737 AN | Illari Mayta Paucar | Mama Qocha ("Mother Sea") | Novel | First Coastal Wechu laureate; maritime themes |
| 1738 AN | Qori Phuyu Huallpa | Ñuqanchik ("We Together") | Short stories | Explores inclusive/exclusive "we" as literary device |
| 1739 AN | Sumaq Rimay Condorcanqui | Wasi Hatun ("Great House") | Novel | Family saga spanning three generations |
| 1740 AN | Pachakutiq Sinchi Apu | Taytaypa Rimaynin ("My Father's Words") | Memoir | Account of quipucamayoc training and tradition |
| 1741 AN | Qhapaq Waman Yupanqui | Llaqtapa Sunqun ("Heart of the Nation") | Essays | Political essays on Wechua identity in federation |
| 1742 AN | Urpi Qoyllur Mamani | Chaska Ñawi ("Star Eyes") | Poetry | Love poetry; popular among younger readers |
| 1743 AN | Kuntur Mayta Inka | Ñawpa Pacha ("Ancient Times") | Novel | Historical fiction depicting pre-Atteran civilization |
| 1744 AN | Challwa Rimachi Tito | Unuy Kawsay ("Life of Water") | Drama | Environmental drama about irrigation rights |
| 1745 AN | Kusi Wallpa Amaru | Wañuy Takikuna ("Songs of Death") | Poetry | Controversial; graphic depictions of Wechua Sorrow |
| 1746 AN | Sumaq Qoyllur Paucar | Llaqta Musuq ("New Town") | Novel | Urban migration themes; Northern Wechu dialogue |
| 1747 AN | Wiracocha Tupaq Apu | Apukunapa Munayninpi ("In the Will of the Mountain Spirits") | Short stories | Religious themes; endorsed by Faith of Inti |
| 1748 AN | Anaqa Sisa Huanca | Warmi Kallpa ("Women's Strength") | Drama | Feminist drama; Academy's first unanimous selection |
| 1749 AN | Qori Rimay Condori | Ñuqayku Puriyku ("We Walk Our Path") | Poetry | Celebrates dialect diversity; incorporates five Wechua varieties |
| 1750 AN | Illapa Sinchi Mayta | Khipu Kamayuq ("The Quipu Keeper") | Novel | Legal thriller involving Classical Wechua documentation dispute |
