Alfred Birney wins Libris Literature Prize

- The Libris Literature Prize goes to Alfred Birney. He gets the prize for the book The Interpreter of Java. That was announced on the Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam on Monday evening.

'A book in which you, through the sublime style, feel almost complicated to the described cruelties and at the same time experience the power to survive,' said jury chairman Janine van den Ende.

For the best original Dutch-language novel of the past year, 65-year-old Birney receives 50,000 euros and Irma Boom's Bronze Legend. The book is about the father of the author who fought against alternating enemies during the independence war in former Dutch-India.

'I thank the insufficient Literature Fund that enabled me to complete this rather difficult job,' said the prize winner. He then focused on the attendants at the Amstel Hotel: 'You can be sure that I will go to the beach tomorrow and there, in the flood line, will jump a hole in the sky. ''

The prize ceremony was broadcasted directly in Nieuwsuur on NPO 2. The other contenders were Walter van den Berg (Schuld), Arnon Grunberg (Moedervlekken), Jeroen Olyslaegers (Wil), Marja Pruis (Soft rites) and Lize Spit (The melt). In 2016, Connie Palmen won her book You say it. Writers who won the prize are among others Adriaan van Dis, Tommy Wieringa, A. F. Th. Van der Heijden, J.J. Voskuil and Frida Vogels.

In addition to the Libris Literature Prize, the Netherlands also has the ECI Literature Prize (formerly AKO Literatuurprijs). Winners of the annual award get a sculpture and also 50. 000 euros.