Iraqi publisher Mazin Lateef Ali, abducted in January 2020, awarded the 2023 International Publishers Association’s Prix Voltaire laureate at the award ceremony at the World Expression Forum in Lillehammer, Norway. The IPA also announced a Prix Voltaire Special Award for murdered Ukrainian children’s book author and poet, Volodymyr Vakulenko.
The Freedom to Publish highlight of the fair was the last session on the main stage – Authors and Publishers Fighting Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and Censorship – followed by the announcement of the 2023 IPA Prix Voltaire shortlist.
Taiwanese publisher Li Yanhe, founder of Gusa Press, has been arrested in China “on suspicion of engaging in activities damaging national security.” IPA is concerned that the detention relates to books published in Taiwan which are not available in China.
At London Book Fair, following a freedom to publish session dedicated to strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPPs) and the role of publishers in guaranteeing freedom of expression of authors, the IPA announced its 5-strong shortlist for the 2023 IPA Prix Voltaire from Egypt, Iraq, Ireland, Pakistan and Turkey.
IPA has a jam packed programme at London Book Fair 2023 whether through the official programming or our own Committees. See some of the confirmed events below.
On February 26, Hong Kong publisher Yao Wentian was released from Dongguan Prison in Guangdong province after nine years of imprisonment. Yao has now returned to his home and reunited with his family in Hong Kong.
The International Publishers Association and the Federation of European Publishers call for an immediate end to the Russian aggression in Ukraine which has cost the lives of so many, including colleagues from the book sector, and the destruction of schools and libraries.
On Tuesday 7th February 2023, IPA held an Open Freedom to Publish meeting to consider the impact of war in Ukraine on the freedom to publish.
