Sofi Oksanen Receives Budapest Grand Prix At Intl Book Festival

(MTI) – Mayor Istvan Tarlos presented Sofi Oksanen, the author of international bestsellers, the Budapest Grand Prix on Thursday.

“The honour goes this time to an author who is not only Finland’s best-known contemporary artist but is, in the true meaning of the word, an internationally renowned literary phenomenon,” Tarlos said, presenting the prize at the 21st Budapest International Book Festival’s opening.

The grand prix is proof that quality-driven Budapesters with a literary sense highly value all this, Tarlos said.

Receiving the award, Oksanen thanked translators and editors for their work on her books and also expressed appreciation for people who protect free speech, saying that “only free words can fly”.

Oksanen and Turkey are the guests of honour at this year’s Book Festival running until April 27 at the Millenaris cultural centre.

Photo: MTI

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters