Anna Politkovskaya and Hrant Dink

Publisher Turhan Günay and publishing house Evrensel, both from Turkey, have been named joint recipients of the 2017 International Publishers Association (IPA) prize for courage in upholding the freedom to publish, the IPA Prix Voltaire.

Frankfurt Book Fair, Weltempfang Stage, Friday October 12th 10:30am-11:30am

• missing Hong Kong/Swedish publisher Gui Minhai selected for award that supports defenders of freedom to publish.
• Award to be presented at International Publishers Congress in New Delhi on 12 February

The 31st International Publishers Congress, 9 -12 April, 2016, gathered more than 220 delegates from 41 countries in London's majestic Olympia Conference Centre. This was the second time the Congress had taken place in the UK capital, but the first time it had run parallel to The London Book Fair.

The International Publishers Association today launches its call for nominations for the 2017 IPA Prix Voltaire — a unique award in celebrating the freedom to publish, without which many writers would be unable to exercise their freedom of expression.

IPA will keep the spotlight on the Prix Voltaire in the coming months partnering an event at Göteborg Book Fair in September and with our own panel at Frankfurt Book Fair in October. 

The Geneva-based International Publishers Association (IPA) today launches its call for nominations for the 2018 IPA Prix Voltaire for exemplary courage in upholding the Freedom to Publish and enabling others to exercise their freedom of expression.

The International Publishers Association (IPA) today announces the shortlist for the 2017 IPA Prix Voltaire, which rewards exemplary courage in upholding the freedom to publish and in enabling others to exercise their right to freedom of expression.

Shalah Lahiji (Iran)

Trevor Ncube (Zimbabwe)

Ragip Zarakolu (Turkey)

S Bensedrine, N. Rijba, M. Talbi, Founders of OLPEC (Tunisia)

I. Shovkhalov & V. Kogan-Yasni of DOSH (Chechnya-Russia)

Ihar Lohvinau (Belarus)

Raif Badawi (Saudi Arabia)

Jointly awarded to Turkish publishers Turhan Günay and Evrensel

Gui Minhai (Sweden/Hong Kong)

Following last year’s successful first edition, IPA is again partnering with London Book Fair to shine a light on Freedom to Publish challenges around the world. With freedom to publish under greater threat in many countries, it is not to be missed.

Göteborg, 30 September 2017 – Turkey’s abysmal freedom of expression record was the focus of the international publishing industry last night as the 2017 IPA Prix Voltaire was jointly awarded to persecuted publisher and journalist Turhan Günay and shuttered Turkish publishing house Evrensel, during Göteborg Book Fair, in Sweden.