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Olga Tokarczuk and Karol Lesman receive European Literature Prize 2024
On Saturday November 2, writer Olga Tokarczuk and translator Karol Lesman received the European Literature Prize 2024 for 'The Empusium' (De Geus Publishers). Romkje de Bildt, Managing Director of the Dutch Foundation for Literature, handed over the award at The Kunstmuseum in the Hague, during Crossing Border Festival.
Laura Pignatti receives Dutch Foundation for Literature’s Translation Prize 2024
The 2024 Dutch Foundation for Literature’s Translation Prize goes to Laura Pignatti, the Italian translator of authors including Anjet Daanje, Edward van de Vendel and Hella Haasse. Laura Pignatti’s role as translator and trailblazer for Dutch literature is impossible to overstate. She moves effortlessly between contemporary Dutch novels and children’s books, but is also able to recreate classic works with skill and style. The Dutch Foundation for Literature’s Translation Prize is awarded to literary translators who have distinguished themselves both by the high quality of their oeuvre and by their efforts as ambassadors for literary translation in general. The winner receives the sum of €15,000. The prize will be presented at SPUI25 in Amsterdam on Monday 9 December.
Ellen Deckwitz wins Italian Poetry Prize Premio Ciampi
The Premio Ciampi, Italy's most prestigious poetry prize, goes to Ellen Deckwitz (b. 1982) for her poetry collection 'Hogere Natuurkunde' (Higher Physics). The Premio Ciampi is awarded for the first time to a Dutch poet.
Annejan Mieras wins Gouden Griffel for best Children's Book
'The Little Universe' (Het kleine heelal), written by Annejan Mieras has been awarded with the Gouden Griffel, a Dutch prize for the best children's book of the year. The Gouden Penseel for the best illustrated children's book goes to Jeska Verstegen. She receives the award for her illustrations in 'The rope and the truth' (Het touw en de waarheid) written by Marco Kunst.
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Uprising — The Populist Revolt and Battle for the Soul of the West
In recent years the far-right’s growing mainstream acceptance has come to feel unstoppable. On a platform of identity, family, nationalism and anti-immigration, populist parties have seen electoral wins throughout the West. Underlying their valorisation of what is ‘natural’ and ‘realistic’, however, is a broader counterrevolutionary movement against the left-liberal globalist elite and what is perceived as the undermining of Western identity.
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When Humans Stray — Seven Animals Bite Back
For 400 years, European seafarers attempted to sail over the top of the globe for a shorter trading route. The famous polar explorer William Barentsz, who lent his name to the Barents Sea, died a hero, after becoming stranded in Novaya Zemlya in northern Russia. Today, however, he would have been able to complete his route in the summer.
Listening Practice
Initially, the emancipating power of internet technology was warmly embraced: the marginalised could finally influence political debate, new voices could shake up the dominant world order. But constant scrolling has led to a ‘dizzying swirl of current events’, overstimulation leads to mental shut down. Can we learn to listen again?
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Old Growth — The Fight for Europe’s Wilderness
Central and Eastern Europe are home to the continent’s oldest forests and much of its last true wilderness. There, wild bison, wolves, deer and even bears still roam and families have foraged for mushrooms for generations. But these UNESCO-heritage forests are under increasing threat from logging, fed by our insatiable demand for cheap furniture.