The winner of the main prize was selected by an independent jury comprising figures from the same field: Valentin Decoppet, Marina Skalova and Peter Stamm.
The jury gave the following reasons for its choice:
Sasha Filipenko (born 1984): Despite his young age, this writer – born in Belarus and living in exile in Basel – has already produced a substantial body of work: five novels, two plays and numerous newspaper articles. His work is published by the Swiss publishing houses Diogenes and Noir sur Blanc and is internationally recognised. Sasha Filipenko’s books are based on thorough documentary research, material which he transforms into fiction in an innovative and skilful manner. Sasha Filipenko has the ability to encapsulate oppressive circumstances in powerful metaphors, making the absurdity of political and existential situations tangible. With satire and sensitivity, he reconstructs the intimate and the mundane that enable people to persevere in – or remain trapped within – objectively unbearable situations. His humour is brilliant and brings complex historical contexts to life for his readers through the lens of human destinies. By awarding the prize to Sasha Filipenko, the jury also wishes to honour an author whose career has been marked by considerable personal and political risks, which are reflected in his writing. Sasha Filipenko is a valuable witness who, as a bridge-builder, contributes to an understanding of today’s geopolitical situation. He is also a representative of the large community of writers living in Switzerland who do not write in any of the country’s national languages. As the jury, we are delighted that the ProLitteris Prize will help ensure that Sasha Filipenko can continue his important work in Switzerland.
It was the responsibility of the recipient of the main prize to select the winner of the Encouragement Prize. Sasha Filipenko chose the author and translator Maud Mabillard. Maud Mabillard (born 1975) was born in Geneva. She has translated works by Mikhail Shishkin, Gusel Yakhina and Roman Sentshin into French and has written the book *La Fleur rouge. Natacha Klimova et les maximalistes russes*.