Faraj Bayrakdar

Faraj Bayrakdar is a Syrian writer, author of five books of poetry and one of prose. Imprisoned by the Syrian authorities in 1987, he was only set free 14 years later, thanks to an international campaign that involved human rights and free speech organizations as well as writers and artists. Among his awards: the 1998 Hellman-Hammet grant; the 1999 International PEN Award – American Center West; the 2004 Free Word Award from NOVIB – Netherlands; the 2006 Oxfam Novib / PEN Freedom of Expression Award Netherlands; and the 2007 Tucholsky Prize – Sweden. He has lived in Sweden since 2005.