Belgian magic realism writer Lampo dies-paper

BRUSSELS, July 13 (Reuters) Belgian writer Hubert Lampo, one of the founders of magic realism in Flanders, has died aged 85, according to the Standaard newspaper's Web site.

Author of 21 novels -- of which ''The coming of Joachim Stiller'' is the most famous -- as well as novellas and short stories, Lampo has received several awards and was for many years regarded as a candidate for the Nobel Prize the web site said yesterday.

Strongly influenced by his experience of World War Two, Lampo's work focused on humanism, democracy and social engagement. He was also a co-founder of a prominent literary magazine.

The literary genre of magic realism, which combines a realistic setting with supernatural elements, was made famous by Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde and Gabriel Garcia Marquez among other writers.

Lampo was born in Antwerp on September 1, 1920.

REUTERS SRS RAI0533