- Fabio Stassi secures the Hermann-Kesten Prize, granted by the PEN Centre
For his dedication to democracy, the 62-year-old Italian author Fabio Stassi will receive this year's Hermann Kesten Prize from PEN Center Germany. The announcement came from the center, which is located in Darmstadt. PEN Vice President Najem Wali explained the selection as a celebration of Stassi's "brave resistance against the neofascist tendencies in Italy." The award ceremony will take place on November 14 at the Darmstadt State Theater.
The award, with a monetary value of 20,000 euros, recognizes individuals who defend, stand up for, and are imprisoned because of persecuted writers, as stated by PEN Center Germany. It is backed by the Hessian Ministry of Science and the Arts. Previous recipients include Günter Grass, Anna Politkovskaya, Liu Xiaobo, and Can Dündar.
In addition, a foster prize will also be awarded. The Kesten Foster Prize, given every two years, honors the international literary magazine "Words Without Borders." Worth 5,000 euros, it acknowledges institutions or organizations that support imprisoned writers. "Words Without Borders" provides access to literature worldwide for English-speaking readers.
PEN represents Poets, Essayists, Novelists. The writers' association, established 100 years ago, champions literature, freedom of expression, and international understanding.
The Hermann Kesten Literary Award, valued at 20,000 euros, is not solely for literary excellence but also honors individuals who advocated for persecuted writers. The international literary magazine "Words Without Borders" is a recipients of the Kesten Foster Prize, awarded every two years, which acknowledges institutions that support imprisoned writers.
