Coverage of Nike in Rzeczpospolita:

Many expected that the Nike Literary Prize would be won by Ryszard Kapuściński, however it was Andrzej Stasiuk, the author of ‘Going to Babadag’ (‘Jadąc do Babadag’) who won unexpectedly.

“I’d like to avail myself of this opportunity to say hello to my parents and my daughter Antonina – said Stasiuk during the introduction of the finalists at yesterday's gala in the Stanisławowski Theatre in Łazienki Royal Park. The writer did not expect that he would be coming back on stage. When Henryk Bereza, the chairman of the jury read out his name, he could not believe his ears.

“I am very happy. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you think I’ll say anything more, you are wrong” – he said and tried to escape; he was stopped by Henryka Bochniarz and Wanda Rapaczyńska.

Straight after the award was given, Stasiuk answered some of the journalists’ questions and then he retreated to a room on the landing well guarded by the organisers. His daughter called the laureate’s wife. Her colleagues informed her about the award, because in their house in Beskid Niski they do not have a television.

The jury told Rzeczpospolita about the winner: "It is important that Stasiuk took up the topic of ‘the lesser Europe’, because this way he preserved in literature a world which is dying out", observed Father Wacław Oszaica "the book is created via a sequence of painterly and poetical pictures. They make up something, which Czesław Miłosz would call ‘ the second space’, so not only are they a description of people and landscape, but also a great metaphor".

‘Going to Babadag’ was my favourite – Bereza said. – This volume can be looked at as a set of autonomous stories, but for me it is a composed, cohesive novel.

“When I was travelling I often took books by Ryszard Kapuściński with me. For example in Albania I was reading ‘Ebony’ (‘Heban’)” said Andrzej Stasiuk to Rzeczpospolita; “So this award is partly his. I wish Mr. Kapuściński good health”.

Ryszard Kapuściński was absent yesterday. He was represented by Jerzy Ilg, the head of the publisher Znak, who accepted the reader’s prize.

“This award is the most precious for every author” – said Ilg – “After all, it is the thought of the reader that makes you take up such a reckless job”.

The award was founded by Nicom Consulting Company and Gazeta Wyborcza.

Translated by Hanna Siemaszko