Hermann Kesten Prize (formerly Hermann Kesten Medal)
1 appearances
-
Edition 33 (2021) Winner
Irena Brežná
イレナ・ブレジナ
Irena Brežná
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1950-02-26 （Bratislava）
- Nationality
- Slovak, Swiss
- Languages
- German
- Residence History
- Trenčín (grew up) → Switzerland (emigrated 1968) → Basel (current)
Career
- Occupations
- journalist, writer, activist
- Active Years
- 1989-2024
- Affiliations
- Amnesty International
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Basel | — | Psychology, Philosophy, Slavic studies | — | 1975- | Switzerland |
University of Basel
Psychology, Philosophy, Slavic studies
Period:
1975-
Country:
Switzerland
Graduation year unknown
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Swiss Literature Award | Die undankbare Fremde | — | — | 受賞 |
| 2016 | Dominik Tatarka Award | — | — | — | 受賞 |
| 2021 | Hermann Kesten Prize | — | — | PEN-Zentrum Deutschland | 受賞 |
| — | Emma-Journalistinnen-Preis | — | — | — | 受賞 |
| — | Theodor Wolff Prize | — | — | — | 受賞 |
| — | Zürcher Journalistenpreis | — | — | — | 受賞 |
| 2022 | Pribina Cross (2nd Class) | — | — | — | 受賞 |
| 2024 | Order of Friendship | — | — | Chechen government in exile | 受賞 |
Swiss Literature Award
2012
Work:
Die undankbare Fremde
Result:
受賞
Dominik Tatarka Award
2016
Result:
受賞
Hermann Kesten Prize
2021
Organization:
PEN-Zentrum Deutschland
Result:
受賞
Emma-Journalistinnen-Preis
Result:
受賞
Theodor Wolff Prize
Result:
受賞
Zürcher Journalistenpreis
Result:
受賞
Pribina Cross (2nd Class)
2022
Result:
受賞
Order of Friendship
2024
Organization:
Chechen government in exile
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Biro & Barbara
1989 Children's bookAnti-racist children's book co-written with Alpha Oumar Barry.
anti-racism
Karibischer Ball
1991 Stories and reportagesCollection of stories and reportages.
Caribbean culture
Die beste aller Welten
2008 NovelAutobiographical novel, Swiss bestseller.
alienationinjusticecommunist repression
Translations
- Belarusian translation
Schuppenhaut
2010 Love novelA love novel.
Die undankbare Fremde
2012 NovelAward-winning novel (Swiss Literature Award).
foreigneralienation
Wie ich auf die Welt kam in der Sprache zu Hause
2018Bibliography
- Biro und Barbara (1989)
- Karibischer Ball (1991)
- Die beste aller Welten (2008)
- Schuppenhaut (2010)
- Die undankbare Fremde (2012)
- Wie ich auf die Welt kam in der Sprache zu Hause (2018)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Writes in German
- Recurring Motifs
- alienationinjustice
Legacy
Recipient of Swiss Literature Award and others. Focuses on alienation, injustice, human rights.
Trivia
- Family repressed by communist authorities; mother imprisoned for failed escape to Sweden.
- Emigrated to Switzerland with family in 1968.