The Miguel de Cervantes Prize is a prestigious literary award given annually to honor a lifetime of work in the Spanish language. Established in 1976, it recognizes authors who have made significant contributions to Spanish literature. The prize is named after the famous Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, best known for his classic novel Don Quixote. The award is presented by the Spanish Ministry of Culture and includes a monetary prize, which varies each year. It aims to promote and celebrate the richness of Spanish literature, encouraging both readers and writers to appreciate the language's literary heritage.