Tom Stoppard, the playwright who has so often explored the nature of freedom in his work, is to be awarded the 2013 PEN/Pinter prize.
Established in 2009 in memory of Nobel-laureate Harold Pinter, the prize is awarded annually to a British writer, or writer resident in Britain, of outstanding literary merit who - to quote Pinter - casts an "unflinching, unswerving" gaze upon the world and shows a "fierce intellectual determination... to define the real truth of our lives and our societies."
Stoppard was selected by a judging panel chaired by Gillian Slovo who said: "The judges agreed unanimously that Tom's lifetime's work meets the challenging criteria set by Harold Pinter… characteristics which English PEN shares in its campaigning and charitable mission – those of courage and truthfulness."
Pinter's widow, Antonia Fraser, said: "Not only did Harold much admire Tom's works but he also applauded his bold stance on public issues of all sorts, altogether a most suitable choice."
Stoppard said: "Harold was one of the reasons I wanted to write plays. His work dominated the foreground of my thoughts about theatre in the few years before I sat down to try to write a play in 1960."
Stoppard's prize will be shared with an international writer of courage, selected by him in association with English PEN's "writers at risk" committee. It will be a person who has been intimidated for speaking out about their beliefs.
The co-winner will be presented with his/her prize alongside Stoppard at an event at the British Library on 7 October. Stoppard will also deliver an address.
A limited edition booklet containing Stoppard's presentation will be published by Faber and Faber and available to the audience. Tickets available from the British Library box office.
Source: English PEN
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