Overview

• The 17th International Literature Prize was presented to Kim Hyesoon and her translators for Autobiographie des Todes, marking the first poetry win since verse became eligible.
• Entries were opened to poetry in 2023, and Hyesoon’s collection prevailed over five other shortlisted works in this inaugural category.
• The prize money was divided with €20,000 to Hyesoon and €15,000 shared by translators Sool Park and Uljana Wolf to honor their collaborative translation process.
• The jury lauded the book’s rhythmic depth and evolving imagery, noting that its lines reveal new meanings through repeated engagement.
• HKW officials underscored that their decisions rest on literary merit after former jurors’ past allegations of political influence were formally denied.