Irina Balakhonova to Receive Jeri Laber International Freedom to Publish Award
Irina Balakhonova, founder of Russia's Samokat Publishing House, has won the 2015 Jeri Laber International Freedom to Publish Award. The prize, given annually by the International Freedom to Publish Committee of the Association of American Publishers, will be acknowledged during the PEN literary gala and presented at BookExpo America in May.
The award recognizes a book publisher outside the United States who has demonstrated courage in the face of restrictions on freedom of expression.
“Despite Russia's stringent laws forcefully restricting and even banning LGBT publications, this year's honoree has refused to hide,” said Geoff Shandler, v-p and editorial director, William Morrow, who chairs the International Freedom to Publish Committee. “Her commitment, courage and perseverance should be - indeed, must be - an example to us all.”
For the full press release, click here.
