Tom Lanoye nominated for Prix Jean Monnet de Littérature Européenne

Tom Lanoye, author of novels as ‘Speechless’ and ‘The Third Marriage’, has been nominated for the Prix Jean Monnet de Littérature Européenne. He has been selected together with authors as Armin Maalouf and Julian Barnes. Since 1995 the prize, awarded by the Conseil Générale de la Charente, crowns a European author whose work has been written in or has been translated into French. The jury consists of writers, critics and journalists.

High Impact: Literature from the Low Countries

From 14 till 19 January 2013, Flanders House London and the Netherlands Embassy in the United Kingdom presented 'High Impact', six top writers from the Low Countries on tour to six cities for six nights of readings and debates to showcase the best 'High Impact' literature from Flanders and the Netherlands in English translation. The tour ended with a final gala gathering in London of authors from both the UK and the Low Countries. Authors that took part in the tour were Lieve Joris, Herman Koch, Ramsey Nasr, Peter Terrin, Chika Unigwe and Judith Vanistendael. Geert Mak attended the London gathering.

 

Starting 8 February with Lieve Joris’s ‘UK Safari’ blog, every day for a week we are publishing our Low Countries authors’ blogs and impressions of the High Impact Tour on the High Impact website.

Chika Unigwe wins NLNG Prize for Literature

Chika Unigwe, author of 'On Black Sisters' Street' has emerged winner of this year's NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature, carting away the coveted prize of $100,000.

Peter Terrin wins AKO Literature Prize 2012

On Monday 29 October 2012, Flemish writer Peter Terrin was awarded the prestigious AKO Literature Prize for his novel 'Post Mortem'. The jury called the book "a masterly reflection on literature". Peter Terrin had twice been nominated for the prize before, but third time lucky. The presentation of the prize took place in the Central Library of The Hague and the winner was announced in 'Nieuwsuur', a live television programme.

Else Otten Übersetzerpreis 2012 for Christiane Kuby

After thorough deliberation the jury with chairman Heinz Eickmans unanimously has awarded the Else Otten Übersetzerpreis 2012 to Christiane Kuby for her translation of 'Godenslaap' by Erwin Mortier. The German translation 'Götterschlaf' appeared in 2010 by publishers DuMont in Cologne.

Ivo Michiels passed away

Sunday morning 7 October 2012 Ivo Michiels passed away in Le Barroux in the Vaucluse in France, where he lived. On 8 January 2013 he would have celebrated his ninetieth birthday. Ivo Michiels will be buried on Wednesday 10 October 2012 in Le Barroux.

Film rights sold for Stefan Brijs’ ‘De engelenmaker’ [The Angel Maker]

Film producer Els Vandevorst, N279 Entertainment, has bought the film rights to 'De engelenmaker' [The Angel Maker]. The film will be directed by Christophe Van Rompaey, known for his multi-award-winning 'Aanrijding in Moscou' (2008, A Private View) and 'Lena' (2011), also produced by Vandevorst. Els Vandevorst has filmed several books, including the successful 'Oorlogswinter' [Winter in Wartime], 'Boven is het stil' [The Twin] (in post-production) and 'Nono, het Zigzagkind' [Nono, the ZigZag Kid], based on the David Grossman novel, which premieres on the opening evening of the Dutch Film Festival 2012.

100th birthday of Louis Paul Boon

In 2012 Louis Paul Boon, who died in 1979, would have had his 100th birthday. This anniversary prompted various festive commemorations and exhibitions in Flanders. In Germany, independent publishers Alexander Verlag took German radio station WDR3's statement that Louis Paul Boon was an author belonging to the top of European world literature deserving rediscovery, to heart.

‘Kongo’ continues it success story in Germany

David Van Reybrouck's non-fiction book 'Kongo' ['Congo'], which was a real bestseller in the original Dutch version, winning prize after prize, is continuing its triumphant advance further afield. Waltraud Hüsmert's German translation, published by Suhrkamp, has received excellent reviews in 'Der Spiegel' and 'Die Welt am Sonntag'.

Ivo Michiels receives America Award 2012

Ivo Michiels has received the America Award 2012 from The Contemporary Arts Educational Project for his lifetime contribution to international writing. It is the first time in its history that the prize has been awarded to a Flemish author.