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Ferenc Kontra

poet, writer, literary translator
Draž, 18 June 1958
Corresponding member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (2019–2021)
Full member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (2021–)
From the outset, Kontra was not drawn into the currents of the post-avant-garde; instead, he dared to seek out his own voice: the voice of unflinching candour in representing minority existence, the voice of a deep attachment to the Drava Triangle (Drávaszög), the sober, prose-inflected voice of guilt and moral transgression, articulated in the language of authenticity and self-identity.
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Parallel Life Paths
2022
governmental award

Laurel Wreath Award of Hungary

Hungarian state award for those who have achieved outstanding performance in the field of Hungarian literature and already hold an artistic award granted by the minister responsible for culture.

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2014
governmental award

József Attila Award

The highest state literary award for outstanding literary activity, awarded by the current Minister of Culture.

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2013
governmental award

Márai Sándor Award

State award granted for an author’’s lifetime achievement, for an outstanding prose volume published in the year preceding the award, or for a Hungarian author’’s internationally recognized work. It is a mid-level artistic award conferred by the minister responsible for culture and one of the highest professional recognitions in Hungarian literature.

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