JIRI THEINER AWARD

The prize is named after the man who for many years was editor-in-chief of the magazine Index on Censorship. It is awarded by Svět knihy, s.r.o. (Book World Ltd.), a company of the Association of Czech Booksellers and Publishers, to a living person or active institution operating abroad who or which by their or its acts or long-term endeavours has made a significant contribution to the dissemination and promotion of Czech literature abroad. The prize is connected with a financial award of CZK 30,000.

The first Jiri Theiner Award was conferred in 2011 on the Polish scholar of Czech, translator and journalist Andrzej Jagodzinski. The award went in 2012 to the Israeli scholar of Czech, translator and writer Ruth Bondy, in 2013 to the Canadian translator and writer Paul Wilson, in 2014 to translator and writer Peter Demetz, in 2015 to the Belarusian scholar of Czech Siarhei Smatrychenka, in 2016 to the Canadian literary historian and translator Marketa Goetz-Stankiewicz and in 2017 award was conferred on the Dutch scholar of Czech and translator Edgar de Bruin. The 2018 award was conferred on the British scholar of Czech and translator David Short.

The winner of the 2019 Jiri Theiner Award will be announced and the prize conferred on Friday, 10th May at the Book World Prague international book fair and literary festival (Palace of Industry, Prague Exhibition Grounds).

Nominations may be made by representatives of the professional public (e.g., publishers, librarians, university staff, institutions or media concerned with literature and book culture). A nomination must include the full name or title of the nominated individual or organization, plus an address at which the nominee may be contacted and reasons why the nominee is deserving of recognition. Nominations made in previous years may be repeated.

The winner will be chosen by a five-member committee appointed by Svět knihy, s.r.o. (Book World Ltd). Pavel Theiner, son of Jiri (George) Theiner and donor of the financial award, is a permanent, honorary member of the committee.

The closing date for nominations is 15th February 2019.

Radovan Auer
Managing Director
Svět knihy, s.r.o.