Oda Myran Winsnes has been awarded the Norwegian Booksellers’ Prize for 2016 for her Norwegian translation of Samar Yazbek’s The Crossing: My Journey to the Shattered Heart of Syria. The prize, which is awarded each year by the Norwegian Booksellers’ Association (http://www NULL.bokhandlerforeningen NULL.no/) and the Norwegian Non-fiction Writers and Translators Association (http://www NULL.nffo NULL.no/)(NFF), goes to a newly established translator of non-fiction who has produced a high quality translation of a new work of non-fiction literature. Oda Myran Winsnes was awarded the prize and a cheque for NOK 50,000 (EUR 6,250) at this year’s International Translation Day celebrations in Oslo on 29 September 2016.
‘While I am, of course, extremely proud that my translation has been appreciated, it is good to see focus being given to Syria. The Syrians need all the attention they can get!’ says Oda Myran Winsnes.
‘Translators make world literature accessible to us. In awarding this prize, we wish to raise awareness, and highlight the important work done by translators of non-fiction literature,’ says Trine Stensen, managing director of the Norwegian Booksellers’ Association.