Belarusian writer and journalist Svetlana Alexievich has been awarded the 6th Jeju 4·3 Peace Prize.
Established in 2015, the Jeju 4·3 Peace Prize honors the spirit of reconciliation and coexistence demonstrated by the people of Jeju in addressing the legacy of the April 3 Incident and the subsequent Jeju Massacre. Jeju 4·3 refers to the tragic governmental crackdown and civilian massacre that took place on the island from 1947 to 1954.
Presented biennially, the prize recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to peace, human rights, democracy and social integration worldwide.
Born in 1948 in Ukraine, Alexievich is an investigative journalist, essayist and oral historian who writes in Russian. She was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in literature “for her polyphonic writings, a monument to suffering and courage in our time,” becoming the first Belarusian writer to receive the honor.
Throughout her career, the 76-year-old writer has documented the suffering and resilience of vulnerable individuals -- particularly women and children -- who endured historical tragedies such as World War II, the Soviet-Afghan War and the Chernobyl disaster.
Alexievich writes "novels of voices," according to the Nobel committee, using interviews with a wide range of subjects to create a tapestry of reportage. One of her most renowned works, “The Unwomanly Face of War,” sheds light on the experiences of women whose voices were often neglected in male-dominated war narratives.
“Alexievich has not only supported the values of democracy through her literary work but has also embodied the principles of peace through both her writing and her life,” said the Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation.
The Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation will hold the award ceremony on April 29. The prize includes a plaque and a cash award of $50,000.
hwangdh@heraldcorp.com
