BERLIN: Syrian-born poet Adonis has become the first Arabic-speaking author to receive one of Germany’s most prestigious literary awards, the Goethe Prize of the city of Frankfurt.

The 81-year-old Adonis accepted the award Sunday in Frankfurt.

Born Ali Ahmad Said in northern Syria, Adonis was educated in a French high school before graduating from Damascus University in the 1950s and moving to Beirut.

He left the Lebanese capital during the Israeli invasion of 1982 and moved to France. He now lives in Paris but still writes in Arabic.

The jury praised Adonis for bringing modern European ideas and critical thinking into current Arab culture by using classic poetic images based in the traditions of Arabic poets.

“The selection committee considered Adonis the most important Arab poet of his generation … for his cosmopolitan [work] and contribution to international literature,” the German government said in a statement.

The Goethe Prize, worth 50,000 euros ($72,000), is awarded every three years on Aug. 28 – Goethe’s birthday – to someone whose works are deemed to reflect his spirit

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born on Aug. 28, 1749, and wrote poems, plays and novels.