Pakistani publisher Maktaba-e-Danyal has been shortlisted by International Publishers Association (IPA) for Prix Voltaire Prize Award for showing ‘exemplary courage in upholding the freedom to publish and in enabling others to exercise their right to freedom of expression.’
Publishers Weekly reported that Maktaba-e-Danyal got shortlisted for publishing the Urdu translation of renowned author Mohammed Hanif’s famous book ‘A Case of Exploding Mangoes’, after which in January, their office in Lahore was sealed and several copies of the translated-book were confiscated by government authorities. The said book is a satirical-fictional novel, critical of Pakistan’s former president General Zia-ul-Haq.
Among Maktaba-e-Danyal, other publishers including Turkey’s Avesta Yayinlari, Malaysia’s Chong Ton Sin, and Liberal Publishing House have also been shortlisted for the award. The 2020 winner will be announced at the 33rd International Publishers Congress on May 28-30, in Norway.
IPA’s Prix Voltaire Award was initiated in 2006, that honors publishers for ‘exemplary courage in upholding the freedom to publish and in enabling others to exercise their right to freedom of expression." The award also carries a cash prize of 10,000 Swiss francs (Rs 17 lack).
Publishers Weekly reported that Maktaba-e-Danyal got shortlisted for publishing the Urdu translation of renowned author Mohammed Hanif’s famous book ‘A Case of Exploding Mangoes’, after which in January, their office in Lahore was sealed and several copies of the translated-book were confiscated by government authorities. The said book is a satirical-fictional novel, critical of Pakistan’s former president General Zia-ul-Haq.
Among Maktaba-e-Danyal, other publishers including Turkey’s Avesta Yayinlari, Malaysia’s Chong Ton Sin, and Liberal Publishing House have also been shortlisted for the award. The 2020 winner will be announced at the 33rd International Publishers Congress on May 28-30, in Norway.
IPA’s Prix Voltaire Award was initiated in 2006, that honors publishers for ‘exemplary courage in upholding the freedom to publish and in enabling others to exercise their right to freedom of expression." The award also carries a cash prize of 10,000 Swiss francs (Rs 17 lack).