TURKISH AUTHOR RECEIVES NORMAN MAILER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT PRIZE

NEW YORK (A.A) - 20.10.2010 - Nobel laureate Turkish author Orhan Pamuk won the 2010 Norman Mailer Lifetime Achievement Prize.
The prize awarded by the Norman Mailer Center and the Norman Mailer Writers Colony was presented to Pamuk by editor, writer and publisher Tina Brown, at the Center's Annual Benefit Gala, held Tuesday in New York City.
Orhan Pamuk told reporters before the ceremony that it was an honour for him to receive a prize awarded in memory of Norman Mailer.
"Norman Mailer was a democrat writer who stood against the established American system for 60 years. An author who can be regarded as the Victor Hugo of the U.S.... It is a great honour for me. I'm very happy to receive this award. I'm a writer and I have received many prizes in my life. In the end, we write our books for ourselves, but prizes, encourage and add colour to our lives," said Pamuk.
 On its official website the Norman Mailer Center says it encourages, assists and celebrates leading and emerging writers who challenge conventional and comfortable views of reality, supporting writers who are endlessly curious, mentally nimble and committed to enriching the consciousness of their readers through the excellence of their work.
A press release posted in the website said, "Pamuk is an author whom Mailer greatly admired, someone who has opened a window so all can better understand the culture and society from which he hails. His works have inspired literary students the world over to visit Turkey. "
Born in 1923, Mailer was an American novelist, poet, playwright and journalist. He was the author of more than 30 books, the director of four films. He passed away in 2007.
The Norman Mailer Society, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2003 to celebrate Norman Mailer, author of 40 books and the chronicler of the American Century. It has approximately 300 members and meets annually for three days for panels, papers, films and informal discussion about the life, work and reputation of the late Mr. Mailer.
Pamuk is one of the most prominent novelists in Turkey. His books have sold over seven million in more than fifty languages, making him the Turkey's best-selling writer. Pamuk is the recipient of numerous literary awards, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006.