Tokarczuk, who visited the Vilenica festival in 1997 and 2006, is one of the most critically acclaimed and successful Polish writers. She has written eight novels, three of which in the style of what she dubbed a constellation novel.

Translator Jana Unuk described the style as abandoning the classic cause-effect narration in favour of circles of different motives and reflections that are stitched together only by the reader who is thus involved in the creation of the novel.

Tokarczuk, also a writer of short stories, essays and screenplays, worked as psychotherapist before focusing fully on writing.

Her work examines modern topics, including dreams and psychologic reality, which she considers a part of reality, but also death as well as feminist ideas, her stance being that gender roles can be transcended.

Another favourite topic are animal rights, to which she devoted her last novel, entitled "Drive Your Plough Over the Bones of the Dead".

Only five other female writers received the Vilenica Award before Tokarczuk: Ilma Rakusa (2005), Brigitta Kronauer (2004), Ana Blandiana (2002), Erica Pedretti (1999) and Libuša Monikova (1993).

Meanwhile, Tokarczuk has already confirmed her attendance at this year's Vilenica festival, whose key novelty will be Koper as the new central location replacing Lipica.

More than 30 writers from over 20 countries are expected in the coastal town, including Florjan Lipuš, Slovenia's most prominent writer in the Austrian province of Carinthia, as the main Slovenian guest.

The "Inspiration of Borders" will be the main topic of the festival, while Swiss literatures will feature strongly with the release of a special anthology.