The Dayton Literary Peace Prize Committee has chosen to honor Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Professor Wiesel, who has written more than forty internationally acclaimed works of fiction and nonfiction, will be present to receive the award in conjunction with the Dayton Literary Peace Prize ceremonies on Sunday, October 14, 2007 at The Benjamin and Marion Schuster Center for the Performing Arts in Dayton, Ohio.

Professor Wiesel’s 1958 memoir La Nuit (Night) chronicles his experiences in European concentration camps during World War II. Night has been read by millions and is included in school and college curricula globally. Wiesel was chosen because of his role as a literary and political spokesperson on behalf of Jews and other groups who have suffered persecution and death due to their religion, race, or national origin. He has been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States of America Congressional Gold Medal, the French Legion of Honor, and, in 1986, the Nobel Peace Prize. Since 1976, he has been the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University, where he also holds the title of University Professor.

“Professor Wiesel’s voice has been heard in the literary community for nearly fifty years; it is an increasingly important one for us to hear today,” said Sharon Rab at the announcement of the committee’s decision. “His tremendous contribution to the world of letters is recognized globally. We are delighted and honored that he will be able to join us to receive this special Lifetime Achievement Award.”

2007 Award Winners

Fiction Winner - Brad Kessler

Birds In Fall

Fiction Runner-up - Lisa Fugard

Skinner’s Drift

Nonfiction Winner - Mark Kurlansky

Nonviolence: Twenty-five Lessons From the History of a Dangerous Idea

Nonfiction Runner-up - Greg Mortensen & David Oliver Relin

Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time

The above from the Dayton Literary Peace Prize website.

FOOTNOTE

Bookman Beattie is especially pleased with Mark Kurlansky's win. I reviewed his book on 12 December last on Radio NZ and on my blog. Congratulations Mark.