Trieste-Based Slovenian Author Boris Pahor Honoured by EU
Pahor, one of the most acclaimed Slovenian authors, has been put forward for the prize by Slovenian MEPs at the initiative of Mojca Kleva Kekuš (S&D/SD).
The MEPs argued that as a "critical writer and a great intellectual", Pahor has made a "priceless contribution" to the Slovenian language and to the cultural development of the area between Italy and Slovenia.
The jury in Brussels chose a total of 43 winners of this year's prize, conferred by the European Parliament since 2008, on Wednesday. The award-giving ceremony will be held in Brussels in October.
Pahor is best known for his novel describing the horrors of Nazi concentration camps. "Necropolis" deals with his experience of the Nazi labour camp Mittelbau-Dora near Nordhausen, Germany.
The novel brought him international acclaim only after it was translated into Italian in 2007, which was 40 years after it was first released in Slovenian in Italy. It was translated into Italian in 1990.
Apart from his literary work, Pahor is also known for his social and political engagement.
The minority author will celebrate his 100th birthday on 26 August. The celebrations marking his jubilee in Slovenia started already in April.