The winner of the 2025 Jiri Theiner Award will be announced and the prize will be conferred on Thursday, 15th May at the official opening of the International Book Fair and Literary Festival Book World Prague 2025.
Boualem Sansal, an acclaimed Algerian author, is a compelling choice for Jiří Theiner Award for Freedom of Speech 2025 due to his fearless exploration of controversial and critical issues through literature. Sansal’s works consistently champion the values of free expression, intellectual integrity, and the critique of all forms of authoritarianism. He boldly addresses themes such as political corruption, religious extremism, and societal repression, often at great personal risk.
Despite facing censorship and backlash in his home-country, Sansal remains an unwavering advocate for the truth, using his writing to challenge oppressive systems and provoke debates. His courage in tackling taboo subjects, combined with his commitment to illuminating the struggles for freedom and human dignity, embodies the essence of free speech and its vital role in fostering democratic values.
Boualem Sansal was arrested in mid-November 2024 at Algiers’s airport after criticising Algerian leaders on numerous occasions. He was questioned by the anti-terrorist prosecutor's office in Algiers and placed in detention under article 87 bis of the Algerian criminal code, which punishes “all attacks on state security”. For this he risks the death penalty.
Two of his books are available in Czech: Němcova vesnice aneb Deníky bratří Schillerových (trans. Kateřina Vinšová), by Pistorius & Olšanská 2012 and 2084 - Konec světa (trans. Podaný) Argo 2016
The Jiri Theiner Award is named after the long-time editor-in-chief of Index on Censorship and is awarded by Svět knihy, s.r.o., a company of the Association of Czech Booksellers and Publishers. It was originally intended for a living personality or an active institution operating abroad, which, through its achievements or long-term efforts, significantly contributes to the spread and promotion of Czech literature outside the Czech Republic. In 2022, her focus changed to an award for fighting for freedom of speech. The prize is associated with a financial bonus of 1 000 USD.
The first Jiri Theiner Award was conferred in 2011 on the Polish bohemist, translator and journalist Andrzej Jagodzinski. The 2024 award was conferred on the Turkish-British novelist, essayist and activist Elif Shafak.
The winner is selected by a five-member committee appointed by Svět knihy, s.r.o.
Pavel Theiner, son of Jiří (George) Theiner, is a permanent and honorary member of the committee.
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