Oskamp and Heinrich win Dublin Literary Award for 'warm and witty' Marzahn, Mon Amour

German author Katja Oskamp and English translator Jo Heinrich have won the 2023 Dublin Literary Award for Marzahn, Mon Amour (Peirene Press). The award is the world’s largest prize for a single novel published in English.

The award receives its nominations from public libraries around the world and recognises both writers and translators. Author Oskamp receives €75,000 (£65,000) and Heinrich, as translator, receives €25,000 (£21,700). Marzahn, Mon Amour is the 11th novel in translation to win the Dublin Literary Award.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Caroline Conroy, said: “Marzahn, Mon Amour is a warm, witty and moving portrait of older residents in Berlin, which offers the reader an insight into a community often overlooked. I’d like to congratulate Katja Oskamp and Jo Heinrich on winning the 2023 Dublin Literary Award and to thank everyone involved in the award – writers, translators, librarians, publishers and the administrative staff of Dublin City Council.”

Nominated by Stadtbüchereien Düsseldorf in Germany, the winning novel was chosen from a shortlist of six novels by writers from Croatia, Mexico, Germany, the US and Canada/Vietnam.

The longlist of 70 titles was nominated by 84 libraries from 31 countries.

Oskamp said: “This prize honours my work as a writer and as a chiropodist in the most wonderful way possible. I am proud that the jury’s decision draws attention to the moving biographies of my East German compatriots."

Heinrich added: “I can’t get over the warm reception this book has had, and the way people have really taken it into their hearts. This is the absolute high point of my life, and I really cannot thank you all enough.”