BUDAPEST One of the most significant figures of contemporary Hungarian poetry, poet, writer and translator Otto Orban, died at age 66 after a long illness, his family told MTI news agency Sunday.

Born on May 20, 1936, Orban studied literature and the science of library at the Budapest Lorand Eoetvoes University, before starting his independent career as a poet and writer, AFP reported.

From 1981, he edited the monthly literary magazine ***Kortars (Contemporary)***, and regularly wrote for the weekly literary newspaper ***Elet es Irodalom (Life and Literature)***.

He had received practically all significant Hungarian literary and art prizes, including the country's top Kossuth award for artistic work.