Ahmed Bedeir, general manager of Dar El Shorouk, a new sponsor of the IPA Prix Voltaire. Image: Dar El Shorouk
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
‘Our Commitment to Defending Freedom of Expression’
As Publishing Perspectives‘ readers know, the International Publishers Association‘s (IPA) Prix Voltaire has continued in recent years to gain traction in world humanitarian circles for its recognition of publishers “who have typically published controversial works amid pressure, threats, intimidation, or harassment, whether from governments, other authorities, or private interests.”
In June, at Kristenn Einarsson‘s World Expression Forum‘s (WEXFO) opening night dinner and ceremony, two Belarusian publishers became the recipients of an unusual joint edition of the accolade. Dmitri Strotsev of the press Hochroth Minsk and Nadia Kandrusevich of the publisher Koska become the second and third Prix Voltaire winners from Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, both of them having placed themselves in exile to operate outside their home country.
The honor comes with a purse of 10,000 Swiss francs (US$12,402), and this cash award is made possible by the contributions of a group of international publishers who volunteer to contribute.
Several publishers recently have joined the contributing group to sponsor the award, and among them is a leading Arabic publisher, Dar El Shorouk, which is based in Cairo’s Nasr City district.
For more than 50 years, the prominent house Dar El Shorouk has played a key role in the development of the Arabic publishing landscape, producing major works by some of the most influential authors in modern Arab times.
“Sponsoring the Prix Voltaire is our way of stating our rooted belief that freedom of expression and of publishing are basic human rights—and a way of affirming that publishers who practice such rights deserve recognition.”Ahmed Bedeir, Dar El Shorouk
We’ve had a chance to ask the company’s general manager, Ahmed Bedeir, about his company’s decision to become a Prix Voltaire sponsor, and about Dar El Shorouk’s place in the market.
“The name Dar El Shorouk,” Bedeir says, “has long been synonymous with quality, intellectual freedom, and creative excellence. We actively scout and support emerging authors and artists, helping them reach wider audiences and gain meaningful media exposure.
“Our goal,” he says, “is to publish books that reflect the identity of the reader and foster a deep sense of cultural and national pride. Dar El Shorouk also operates through a network of sister companies in complementary sectors; including bookselling, newspaper publishing, drama production, and digital media—each of which is a leader in its respective field.”
The decision to become a Prix Voltaire sponsor, Bedeir says, has to do with the company’s awareness of its place and purpose in the business.
“At Dar El Shorouk,” he says, “we believe that publishing is not only a commercial endeavor, it’s also a cultural and moral responsibility.
“The decision to sponsor the Prix Voltaire at this moment reflects our deepening commitment to defending freedom of expression, especially in a world in which such freedoms are often tested. Recent global and regional developments have reminded us how fragile these liberties can be. Sponsoring the Prix Voltaire is our way of stating our rooted belief that freedom of expression and of publishing are basic human rights—and a way of affirming that publishers who practice such rights deserve recognition.”
‘Courage in Publishing Is Not Abstract’
Since the Prix Voltaire’s first honor was issued in 2006, the award has gained in international humanitarian and literary circles, although in many cases, a national population may not be widely aware of it as yet.
“While the Prix Voltaire is not yet widely known among the general public in Egypt, it holds significant recognition in publishing and in some intellectual circles.
“The award’s visibility somewhat increased following its presentation to Egyptian publisher Khaled Lotfy.
“Awards like the Prix Voltaire play an important role in raising awareness about freedom of expression and the risks undertaken by those who defend it,” Bedeir says. “They help foster dialogue and encourage solidarity across borders, contributing to a broader understanding of the value and vulnerability of publishing in restrictive environments.”
The importance of becoming a sponsor of the IPA Prix Voltaire, Bedeir says, has to do with core values, both of the book business and of the association.
“As you know, to publish is one of the pillars, not only of the IPA, but also of the entire publishing industry,” he says, “so sponsoring the Prix Voltaire is a statement of values. Supporting the award means recognizing that courage in publishing is not abstract, it’s lived by individuals who risk their safety to share ideas.
“By sponsoring the Prix Voltaire,” Ahmed Bedeir says, “we affirm that these individuals are not isolated. They’re part of a global community that sees them, values them, and stands with them.”
Past Prix Voltaire Laureates
These are the IPA Prix Voltaire winners prior to the 2025 joint win by Dimitri Strotsev and Nadia Kandrusevich.
| Year | Prix Voltaire Laureate | Special Award |
| 2024 | Samir Mansour (Palestine) | Victoria Amelina (Ukraine) |
| 2023 | Mazin Lateef Ali (Iraq) | Volodymyr Vakulenko (Ukraine) |
| 2022 | Same Sky Books (Thailand) | |
| 2021 | Dar Al Jadeed (Lebanon) | Li Liqun (China) |
| 2020 | Liberal Publishing House (Vietnam) | |
| 2019 | Khaled Lotfy (Egypt) | |
| 2018 | Gui Minhai (Sweden / Hong Kong | Faisal Arefin Dipan (Bangladesh), Liu Xiaobo (China) |
| 2017 | Turhan Günay and publishing house Evrensel | |
| 2016 | Raif Badawi (Saudi Arabia) | |
| 2014 | Ihar Lohvinau (Belarus) | |
| 2012 | “Zapiro” (South Africa) | |
| 2011 | Bui Chat (Vietnam) | |
| 2010 | I. Shovkhalov and V. Kogan-Yasni of DOSH (Chechnya / Russia) | |
| 2009 | S Bensedrine, N. Rijba, M. Talbi, Founders of OLPEC (Tunisia) | Irfran Sanci (Turkey) |
| 2008 | Ragip Zarakolu (Turkey) | |
| 2007 | Trevor Ncube (Zimbabwe) | Anna Politkovskaya (Russia), Hrant Dink (Turkey) |
| 2006 | Shalah Lahiji (Iran) |
The IPA Prix Voltaire is directed by James Taylor at the International Publishers Association. Inquiries about sponsorship can be directed to him at the association’s offices in Geneva.
A Frankfurt Programming Note
Publishing Perspectives will moderate a program on the “Trinity of Freedoms”—the freedom to publish, read, and to freely express oneself—during Frankfurter Buchmesse (October 15 to 19) at 10 a.m. on Frankfurt Thursday (October 16) on the trade show’s Center Stage, Hall 4.1. The session is open to all trade visitors to Frankfurt.
More from Publishing Perspectives on issues of the freedom to publish and freedom of expression is here, more on the Prix Voltaire is here, and on the International Publishers Association is here. More on the World Expression Forum, WEXFO, is here.
Publishing Perspectives is the International Publishers Association’s world media partner.
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