The International Publishers Association (IPA), based in Geneva, Switzerland, has launched its call for nominations for the 2021 IPA Prix Voltaire ‘for exemplary courage in upholding the Freedom to Publish and enabling others to exercise their freedom of expression’.
In a statement it says: ‘Freedom to publish is one of the founding principles of the IPA’s. Its protection and promotion is one of IPA’s key objectives. In many countries, publishers who provide authors with the means to disseminate their written ideas run the same risks as the writers themselves. Their work requires immense courage and a values-based, altruistic commitment. The Freedom to Publish is far from guaranteed around the world, with daily attempts by governments, extremists or private interests to intimidate, attack, imprison and even kill publishers.’
Kristenn Einarsson, Chair of the IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee, said: “Our 2020 Freedom to Publish Report demonstrated the scale and range of challenges to the freedom to publish around the world. We want to celebrate and support those publishers who have put themselves at risk by bringing different and challenging ideas to readers.
Previous prize recipients include the Vietnamese publishing house Liberal Publishing House (2020), Egyptian publisher Khaled Lotfy (2019), Swedish Hong Kong publisher Gui Minhai (2018),Turkish publisher Turhan Gunay and publishing house Evrensel (2017), Saudi blogger Raif Badawi (2016) and Belarusian publisher Ihar Lohvinau (2014).
The recipient will receive 10,000 Swiss francs funded by a range of generous sponsors, including Swedish publisher Bonniers and Norwegian publisher Samlaget. Nominations should be submitted by email using the application form to the IPA at prix-voltaire@internationalpublishers.org
