The association has said it is honouring Biggins for his translation oeuvre, his aesthetic perfection and his role as an intermediary between Slovenia and the English-speaking world.

Biggins has been contributing to the promotion of Slovenian literature in the US for a number of years and is satisfied only with highest quality, which is proven by his translations of books and essays, the association said.

His translations include works by the likes of Vladimir Bartol, Boris Pahor, Drago Jančar and Tomaž Šalamun.

Biggins is an affiliate professor at the Slavic languages and literatures department of the University of Washington and the head of the Russian and East European collection at the university's library.

Biggins is an exceptional expert in Slovenia and its literature and is presenting the country also with expert papers and articles in US literary magazines and journals, the association added.

The award will be handed out to the winner on 11 June at a ceremony in the Cankarjev dom arts centre in Ljubljana. The ceremony will be accompanied by a literary evening featuring readings by prominent Slovenian translators.