Norwegian award to Yaşar Kemal

ISTANBUL

Yaşar Kemal received the award from the Norwegian Academy of Literature and Freedom of Expression. DHA photo

Turkish author Yaşar Kemal has been chosen as the latest recipient of the Bjornson Award, which is presented by the Norwegian Academy of Literature and Freedom of Expression.

According to a statement made by Yapı Kredi Publishing at an award ceremony held on Nov. 9 in Norway, Yaşar received the award from the president of the academy, Knut Odegard. 

“You have always been the poet of solidarity; always stand for the weak and those under pressure,” said Odegard. 

‘Art is the grand song of people’s joy’

“Everyone should remember that each war is a death decree,” said Kemal. “Neither the winners nor the losers and those outside the war can escape from the destruction of war. Art is the grand song of people’s joy and loyalty to the world. As long as the organizations like the Norwegian Academy, which contain literature and freedom in its title, continue defending human honor, nobody will be able to destroy human values.”

Academy members Aase Gjerdrum and Thorvald Steen also made speeches at the ceremony.