Timothy Garton Ash

The Timothy Garton Ash prize for European writing – winner announced

In this week’s issue of The Spectator, Timothy Garton Ash announces the winner of the prize founded in his name for European writing. Below is the extract from his diary, as well as the winning entry.  I’m delighted to learn that a former student of mine, Annabelle Chapman, is the first winner of The Spectator’s Timothy Garton Ash Prize — and especially so because she writes about Poland and eastern Europe. Nice though it is to have a prize offered in my name, it does make me feel vaguely, well, deceased. I recall a bibulous Spectator lunch many years ago when the question came up if so-and-so was dead. Alexander Chancellor memorably responded, ‘Er, I don’t think he is… completely.’

Winter in Warsaw Annabelle Chapman

Warsaw March 2016

Jaroslaw Kaczynski lives alone. His semi-detached house stands in the leafy neighbourhood of Zoliborz in northern Warsaw, small and unassuming. Closing the door on the winter night, he pulls off his black trench coast and sturdy hiking boots.

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in