Elif Shafak receives Halldór Laxness International Literary Award in Veröld - House of Vigdís

Turkish-British novelist and women's rights activist, Elif Shafak, recieved the Halldór Laxness International Literary Award today. The prize is awarded to an internationally-recognised writer whose works are judged to have helped renew the art of literature. Prime minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir presented the author with the award in Veröld – House of Vigdís.

Shafak, who writes in Turkish and English, has published 19 books, including The Bastard of Istanbul, The Forty Rules of Love, Three Daughters of Eve and 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World. Her books have been translated into 55 languages and nominated for a number of literary awards.

Shafak is the second recipient of the Halldór Laxness International Literary Awards, after Ian McEwan who was the first recipient in 2019.