Breaking News:

27. 07. 10. - 14:00

Enquist gets Austrian literature gong

Per Olov Enquist has been awarded Austria's State Prize for European Literature.

The renowned Swedish author of historical novels received the 25,000-Euro prize in Salzburg – which currently hosts this year’s edition of the world famous Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele) – on Sunday.

Social Democratic (SPÖ) Culture Minister Claudia Schmied praised the 76-year-old as a "great European storyteller".

Enquist – who was a successful high-jumper in his youth – released books about scientist Marie Curie and Danish king Christian VII as well as essays and plays. He was awarded the Nordic Council's Literature Prize in 1968.

Previous winners of the award include late Swiss writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Italy’s Umberto Eco and Brit Harold Pinter who passed away in 2008.

Write your comment to this article here