Global Voices: Celebrating 10 Years of the International Booker Prize with Dua Lipa and Literary Luminaries
Global music sensation Dua Lipa will be at the forefront of the Booker Prize Foundation's commemoration of the International Booker Prize's ten-year milestone. The prestigious award has recognized exceptional literature from across the globe, with 10 winners in 10 different languages, contributing to a surge in translated fiction sales in the UK. Lipa, a Grammy and BRIT Award winner and the founder of the Service95 Book Club, will kick off the festivities at the Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall on May 8, 2026, with a special public event.
The upcoming event aims to bring together key figures from the International Booker Prize's history to provide insights into the creation and promotion of outstanding translated fiction. The impact of the award over the past decade has been significant, serving as a barometer for literary excellence. Notably, four International Booker Prize laureates have gone on to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, underscoring the award's influence in the literary world.
The anniversary celebration will delve into this rich legacy, featuring discussions between prominent translators and authors. Deepa Bhasthi, translator of the 2025 International Booker Prize-winning novel "Heart Lamp" by Banu Mushtaq, will engage in a conversation with Daniel Hahn, a renowned translator and former judge of the prize. Additionally, David Diop, author of the 2021 winning novel "At Night All Blood is Black," will share insights alongside historian Olivette Otele, who served as a judge in 2021.
The event will also explore the business aspects of literary success, with publisher Jacques Testard of Fitzcarraldo Editions and agent Laurence Laluyaux of RCW Literary Agency shedding light on their experiences. Together, they have represented multiple Nobel Prize in Literature winners, offering valuable perspectives on the industry. Gaby Wood, Chief Executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, will facilitate the discussion, providing a platform for these industry experts to share their secrets to success.
Supported by Bukhman Philanthropies and the Southbank Centre, the event underscores a decade of global storytelling that has reshaped reading habits in the UK. From Dua Lipa's advocacy for translated fiction to the dedicated work of translators, the celebration pays tribute to the diverse languages and voices that have defined the International Booker Prize's inaugural decade.
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