This is to inform you that renowned author Salman Rushdie became the recipient of the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Disturbing the Peace Award on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, i.e. yesterday, at the Vaclav Havel Center. Yes, you heard it right, renowned author Salman Rushdie has become the first-ever recipient of the Lifetime Disturbing the Peace Award. However, it was not expected at all that Salman Rushdie would be available to receive the accolade as he was stabbed last year in August in New York during a literary festival. His surprise appearance in public left the audience surprised. In the following sections, you will get to learn what Salman Rushdie said after receiving the accolade. Swipe down the page.
In a span of one month, Salman Rushdie received two accolades at the age of 76. Last month, the author became the recipient of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade and now he received the accolade for disturbing the peace. Meanwhile, the world-famous author wondered about being awarded the Disturbing Peace Award. He reflected on awards and influence. His appearance was not expected at the Vaclav Havel Center. Swipe down the page and read more details.
The name of Salman Rushdie was announced for receiving the Disturbing Peace Award, by Azar Nafisi. Meanwhile, the writer of Reading Lolita in Tehran said, “I apologize for being a mystery guest. I don’t feel at all mysterious. But it made life a little simpler.” Further, he reflected on the irony of being honored with disturbing the peace and pondered what led him to receive this accolade. Rushdie praised Vaclav Havel who is a close friend of his and an influential figure who supported Salman when he was forced into hiding after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s 1989 decree against ‘The Satanic Verses’. During his speech, he described Havel as a hero who balanced artistry with activism.
Further, Rushdie Salman went on to express deep honor in receiving an award in Havel’s name. The ceremony took place at the Havel Center which was previously known as the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation was hosted by Lesley Stahl, a veteran CBS journalist, The Havel Center was established in 2012 to memorialize Havel’s legacy, focuses on advocating for human rights and free expression. Acclaimed author Adhaf Soueif who accepted the award on behalf of her incarcerated nephew, expressed Abdel-Fattah’s gratitude, particularly for the award’s name, “Disturbing the Peace.” She mentioned, “He’s very grateful. This really tickled him.”