- The Paul Celan Prize for translators Thomas Weiler
Translator Thomas Weiler wins the Paul Celan Prize 2024 for his entire body of work. The award, worth €25,000, is given annually by the German Literature Fund for "outstanding translations into German". The jury's written citation praised his diverse translation oeuvre for introducing lesser-known literature from Belarusian, Polish, and Russian to German-speaking audiences.
"His translations span complex prose, demanding children's literature, and subtle poetry," the jury explained. Weiler, born in the Black Forest in 1978, receives the award particularly for his translation of Alhierd Bacharevič's novel "Dogs of Europe". The book is now banned in Belarus and classified as extremist, according to its publisher Voland & Quist.
This year's €50,000 Grand Prize of the German Literature Fund goes to writer Martina Hefter. One of Germany's most prestigious literary awards, the prizes will be presented on November 21 at the Literary Colloquium in Berlin.
The recognition for Thomas Weiler's translations extends beyond the Paul Celan Prize, as he has also been honored with various Awards and honours for his significant contributions to literature translation. His translations have played a pivotal role in making less-known literature from Belarusian, Polish, and Russian accessible to German-speaking audiences, earning him these accolades.
