International Hermann Hesse Prize

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her translator Judith Schwaab will receive the International Hermann Hesse Prize 2020. This was announced by the board of the Calw Hermann Hesse Foundation. The prize is one of the most renowned German literary prizes. It recognizes “a literary achievement of international standing in connection with its translation” – so it says in the statute.

The statement of the jury stated literally: “Adichie draws the portraits of the people so finely that you can empathize with each one, including the secondary characters, and feel with them. The culture of Nigeria, the nature, the different languages, the food, and manners are portrayed so vividly that you can literally feel transported there.”