Ihar Lohvinau (Belarus)

The award of the 2014 IPA Freedom to Publish Prize to Ihar Lohvinau of Belarus has been widely reported bv international media and NGOs.

The Prize was given in recognition of Mr Lohvinau's courageous efforts to defend freedom of expression in Belarus despite the government removing his publishing licence. It was accepted on his behalf by his daughter and co-worker, Alexandra Logvinova, during the London Book Fair.

IPA Freedom to Publish Chair, Ola Wallin, who presented the award, commented that “withdrawing Lohvinau Publishing House’s licence was a political attempt to stifle a creative and courageous publisher. The Prize recognises Ihar Lohvinau's achievements in continuing to publish important work while operating in Europe's last dictatorship.”

Ihar Lohvinau's success was reported by Livres Hebdo, Publishing Perspectives, Börsenblatt, IFEX, Gli Amanti di Libri, Publishers Weekly, EuroBelarus and many more.