Posted on August 16, 2021 at 1:30 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Author Astrid Roemer made literary history as the first author from Suriname to win a top Dutch writing prize.

A few months later, she’s still drawing attention in relation to the honor, but for different reasons.

The Guardian reports that Roemer will still receive the Prijs der Nederlandse Letteren prize (and its money), but that an awards ceremony for her has been canceled. 

The reason: her defense of Suriname’s former president, Dési Bouterse, who was convicted of murder for executing 15 political opponents.

Roemer appeared to agree with organizers’ decision to cancel the ceremony, posting on Facebook that she had been uneasy about protests at the event for guests’ sake.

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Categories: Today in Books

Tagged As: Awards, Politics, Scandal

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