One of Latin America's greatest living writers, Homero Aridjis is also extraordinary for his pioneering work as an environmental activist, his ambassadorial appointments and his two-term stint as president of International PEN. Many of his forty books of poetry and prose have been translated into a dozen languages. He is the recipient of important literary prizes including the Xavier Villaurrutia (Mexico), the Roger Caillois (France), the Grinzane-Cavour (Italy) and two Guggenheim Fellowships. He was until recently Mexico's Ambassador to UNESCO.