Home 5 News 5 Januškevič Wins 2024 Freedom to Publish Award

Januškevič Wins 2024 Freedom to Publish Award

by | Oct 2, 2024 | News

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) has awarded Januškevič Publishing House, a Belarusian publisher that now operates from Poland, the 2024 AAP International Freedom to Publish Award. The award recognizes a publisher outside of the United States who has demonstrated courage and fortitude in defending freedom of expression.

Founded in 2014 Januškevič Publishing House publishes and sells fiction, non-fiction, and historical books in the Belarusian language, activities which have become heavily discouraged by the Belarusian government under Russian influence.

In 2022, founder Andrej Januškevič was arrested for selling books in Belarusian and imprisoned for 28 days, and later that year was forced to flee to Poland, where his publishing house continued to publish materials for the Belarusian market. In 2023 Belarusian authorities revoked Januškevič’s publishing license, a move that effectively blocked the house from selling or operating as a publishing house in Belarus.

But readers of Belarusian can now access books published by Januškevič as eBooks in Belarus or anywhere in the world, or by purchasing physical copies of the books in Poland.

“This year we recognize a publishing house of extraordinary persistence and courage,” commented Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO, Association of American Publishers. “The leaders of Januškevič Publishing House have braved censorship, suffered incarceration, and endured exile, all in service of their mission to provide readers with literature in the Belarusian language. Together, the Board, membership, and staff of the AAP applaud Januškevič for preserving and celebrating a language that has long been under attack, and for demonstrating why the freedom to publish is an essential element of democratic society.”

Andrej Januškevič, Januškevič Publishing House, said: “We are honored to accept AAP’s Freedom to Publish Award, and we are thankful for the acknowledgment of our work in Belarus and in exile.  The Belarusian language illuminates our culture and heritage, and together with our friends and colleagues at other houses that have seen their licenses revoked – including Limaryus, Knihazbor, Haliyafy, Medysont and Zmicier Kolas – we vow to keep that light alive in hopes that it may serve as a beacon, giving comfort to citizens of our homeland, and hope to those who must live in exile.”

Recent News

20Dec
Saudi Arabia’s Publishing Boom: Over 500 Houses Driving Growth

Saudi Arabia’s Publishing Boom: Over 500 Houses Driving Growth

According to the latest SME Monitor report released by Monsha’at, the Kingdom’s General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, Saudi Arabia’s publishing industry is witnessing remarkable growth. With over 500 local publishing houses operating across the Kingdom, the sector is making significant strides in bringing Saudi and Arabic-language literature to wider audiences.   The report […]

20Dec
Sharjah Ruler Honored Guinness Certificate for Arabic Dictionary

Sharjah Ruler Honored Guinness Certificate for Arabic Dictionary

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and Supreme President of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, has been awarded a Guinness World Records certificate recognizing the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language as the largest and most comprehensive historical linguistic project in the world, consisting […]

18Dec
How Is the “PublisHer” Paving the Way for Women to Lead the Publishing Industry?

How Is the “PublisHer” Paving the Way for Women to Lead the Publishing Industry?

The publishing industry is one of the most dynamic sectors globally, yet, like many creative fields, it grapples with persistent challenges related to achieving gender equality in the workplace. Although women constitute a significant portion of the workforce in this sector, they often face barriers that limit their access to leadership roles or hinder the […]

Related Posts

Sharjah Ruler Honored Guinness Certificate for Arabic Dictionary

Sharjah Ruler Honored Guinness Certificate for Arabic Dictionary

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and Supreme President of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, has been awarded a Guinness World Records certificate recognizing the Historical Dictionary of the...

Literary Celebration and Cultural Insights at Jeddah Book Fair 2024

Literary Celebration and Cultural Insights at Jeddah Book Fair 2024

The Jeddah Book Fair 2024 has opened its doors, welcoming over 1,000 publishers and agencies from 22 countries. The event celebrates literature and culture on a global scale. The Saudi Authority for Literature, Publishing, and Translation organized the fair at the...

Previous Next
Close
Test Caption
Test Description goes like this

Pin It on Pinterest

Nasher News
Saudi Arabia’s Publishing Boom: Over 500 Houses Driving Growth
Sharjah Ruler Honored Guinness Certificate for Arabic Dictionary
How Is the “PublisHer” Paving the Way for Women to Lead the Publishing Industry?
Sharjah Ruler Honored Guinness Certificate for Arabic Dictionary
How Is the “PublisHer” Paving the Way for Women to Lead the Publishing Industry?
Literary Celebration and Cultural Insights at Jeddah Book Fair 2024