The recipient of the main prize was selected by an independent jury made up of figures from the same field: Valentin Decoppet, Marina Skalova and Peter Stamm.
The jury explains its decision as follows:
Sasha Filipenko (*1984): Despite his young age, the writer, who was born in Belarus and lives in exile in Basel, already has an extensive body of work: five novels, two plays, numerous publications in newspapers. His work is published by the Swiss publishing houses Diogenes and Noir sur Blanc and is recognized internationally. Sasha Filipenko’s books are based on thorough documentary research, material that he transforms into fiction in a linguistically innovative and intelligent way. Sasha Filipenko has the ability to capture oppressive circumstances in powerful metaphors in order to make the absurdity of political and existential situations tangible. With satire and sensitivity, he reconstructs the intimate and the banal that cause people to endure or remain trapped in objectively unbearable situations. His humor is brilliant and brings complex historical contexts closer to his readership through examples of human destinies. By honoring Sasha Filipenko, the jury also wishes to recognize an author whose career has been marked by considerable personal and political risks, which are reflected in his writing. Sasha Filipenko is a valuable witness who, as a bridge-builder, contributes to understanding today’s geopolitical situation. And he is a representative of the large community of writers who live in Switzerland but do not write in any national language. As a jury, we are pleased that, with the ProLitteris Prize, we can help ensure that Sasha Filipenko can continue his important work in Switzerland.
The recipient of the main prize was responsible for selecting the winner of the sponsorship prize. Sasha Filipenko chose the author and translator Maud Mabillard. Maud Mabillard (*1975) was born in Geneva. She has translated works by Mikhail Shishkin, Guzel Yakhina and Roman Senchin into French and written the book «La Fleur rouge. Natacha Klimova et les maximalistes russes».