The Iranian-French graphic novelist, illustrator and director Marjane Satrapi has been given the prestigious Spanish Princess of Asturias Award in the Communication and Humanities category.
The 54-year-old Iranian-born artist, who lives in France, is one of the most "prominent" names on the international comic scene, the foundation wrote on its website on Tuesday.
She released "Persepolis" in 2000, which the foundation describes as "one of the best graphic novels ever published." It is an autobiographical account of her childhood and youth in Iran after the Islamic Revolution.
In 2023, together with others, she published the graphic novel "Femme, vie, liberté" (Woman, Life, Freedom), which deals with the uprisings in Iran following the murder of Mahsa Amini by the notorious morality police in 2022, and the oppression and violation of human rights in Iran.
The Princess of Asturias Awards are named after the heir to the Spanish throne. They are awarded annually in eight categories and are each endowed with €50,000 (about $54,000).
All winners also receive a sculpture by Joan Miró. The Spanish singer and composer Joan Manuel Serrat was announced as the first winner in the arts category on Wednesday last week.
The eight awards, which will be announced over the coming months, will be presented at a gala ceremony with King Felipe VI in Oviedo at the end of October.