Hänny, 75, from Tschappina in canton Graubünden is best known for his novels Sturz (2020), Blooms Schatten (2014), Helldunkel. Ein Bilderbuch (1994), Flug (1985), Zurich, Anfang September (1980) and Ruch. Ein Bericht (1979).
His work draws inspiration from his childhood in the Graubünden mountains, growing up in Chur, the cantonal capital, and the Zurich riots of the 1980s along with their supression by police.
“His books deal with these themes, not chronologically or autobiographically, but through associations of ideas, snippets of memories and dreams, inventions and above all through pastiche, in which he appropriates world literature,” the Federal Office of Culture said in a statementExternal link on Thursday.
The culture office’s special prize for translation this year went to Maurizia Balmelli. The translator, who grew up on Lake Maggiore in southern Switzerland, has translated many works into Italian from French and English.
These include books by Martin Amis, Tahar Ben Jelloun, Emmanuel Carrère, Marie Darrieussecq, Jean Echenoz, Mary Gaitskill, Aleksandar Hemon, Ágota Kristóf, JMG Le Clézio, Ian McEwan, Cormac McCarthy, Noëlle Revaz, Yasmina Reza, Sally Rooney, Miriam Toews and Fred Vargas.
She has built “solid bridges between literatures, devoting a constant and valuable commitment to teaching and training”, said the culture office.
The Swiss Grand Prix for Literature and Special Prize for Translation are each worth CHF40,000 ($45,000) and are set to be handed over on May 25 ahead of the Solothurn Literature Festival.
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Swiss army suspends 300-million-euro project for airspace surveillance
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The army has suspended the project for two systems for airspace surveillance and fighter jet guidance for months. Parliament approved almost 320 million francs for "Skyview". The reason for the suspension is problems with the integration of the system.
Murdered student: Paris asks Bern to extradite suspect
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On Wednesday, France submitted an extradition request to the Swiss authorities for the man suspected of murdering Philippine. This was announced Thursday morning by the French Minister of Justice, Didier Migaud, on BFMTV.
Swiss bearded vulture rare win amid global wildlife catastrophe
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The reintroduction of bearded vultures in Switzerland is a rare bright spot amid a global wildlife catastrophe in the last 50 years.
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The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) is embarking on a new stage to confront the global public with the scientific challenges of the future.
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Valais initially had clearance to shoot one wolf pack, but this has been extended after wolves were found to have killed livestock.
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Frédéric Pajak wins top Swiss literature prize
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Franco-Swiss author and graphic artist Frédéric Pajak has been awarded this year’s Swiss Grand Prix for Literature for his life’s work.
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Among his best known works are the play Top Dogs and the short novel Der blaue Siphon (The Blue Siphon Bottle). Widmer is considered one of the most successful Swiss authors of the generation following Friedrich Dürrenmatt und Max Frisch. He published about 80 novels, short stories, plays and essays. Widmer’s literary career began in 1968…
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This week Jenny launches her sixth novel, The Sky is Changing, which is also her first book written in English. Speaking to swissinfo.ch, the author described the book – set in London – as a documentary of the city following the 2005 terrorist attacks. Her prose has been praised for its detailed and precise images…
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.