Georgi Gospodinov has created history by winning the prestigious International Booker Prize for his novel ‘Time Shelter,’ marking the first-ever translation from Bulgarian to receive this esteemed award. Translated by Angela Rodel, the book triumphed over five other contenders on the shortlist in a competition judged by a distinguished panel led by acclaimed French-Moroccan novelist Leïla Slimani.
The remarkable achievement celebrated at an extravagant ceremony held on Tuesday night (23 May) at London’s Sky Garden. Where Gospodinov and Rodel honored. ‘Time Shelter’ is Gospodinov’s fourth work to translated into English and centers around an Alzheimer’s treatment center—A unique space that acts as a refuge for those weary of the modern world, creating a captivating time warp environment.
Upon its initial publication in Bulgaria in 2020, ‘Time Shelter’ soared to the top of the book charts. Receiving widespread acclaim and securing the Strega European Prize.
What Gospodinov said?
“This novel is very personal and political at the same time,” said Gospodinov in his acceptance speech. While joking that he had expected these words to belong to an “unspoken speech for unreceived awards”.
“In a time of war, writers must tend to tell their stories on the side of the one under attack, the one fighting for their home, for their and our children,”_ Georgi Gospodinov
What Slimani said?
Describing the novel, Slimani called it, “a brilliant novel full of irony and melancholy” . Also adding, “It is a very profound work that deals with a contemporary question and also a philosophical question: what happens to us when our memories disappear?”
Slimani led the panel of judges, accompanied by Ukrainian Uilleam Blacker. A renowned literary translator from Britain, Tan Twan Eng, a novelist shortlisted for the Booker Prize, Parul Sehgal. A staff writer for The New Yorker, and Frederick Studemann, the literary editor of the Financial Times.
The shortlist showcased works from six different countries and four continents. Including a final masterpiece from 86-year-old French author Maryse Condé.
The Prize, considered the most prestigious literary award for translated fiction published in the United Kingdom or Irelan. Carries a prize of £50,000 (approximately €57,500) which equally shared between the book’s author and translator. Esteemed authors such as Han Kang and Olga Tokarczuk have been previous recipients of this coveted prize.
