Ana Blandiana recipient of the 2026 Zbigniew Herbert International Literary Award
The Zbigniew Herbert Foundation is pleased to announce that this year’s Zbigniew Herbert International Literary Award went to Ana Blandiana, an outstanding Romanian poet and oppositional activist in the fight against the communist regime. Orlen is the Strategic Partner of the Zbigniew Herbert Award.
Ana Blandiana, pen name of Otilia Valeria Coman, was born in Timişoara in 1942. A prominent representative of the “neo-modernists”, a generation of poets emerging in the 1960s in opposition to the doctrine of proletarian art imposed by the communist authorities, looking instead to the literary traditions of the interwar period.
Blandiana’s work, deeply rooted in the traumatic history of the Eastern Bloc nations, boldly and uncompromisingly expresses resistance against totalitarianism and faith in the triumph of the principled world. Her poems are not only a testament to the struggle for truth, dignity, and justice, but also serve as a reminder of the moral duty that rests upon the poet, especially in times of difficulty. Her poetry is close to Herbert’s understanding of art as the realm of universal virtues and moral attitudes that must be defended against all odds.
The Laureate commented on the news of receiving the award with these words:
This isn’t the first time I’ve received an award – nor is it my first Polish prize – but it is the first time this award is dedicated to the memory of a poet, and moreover, a poet with whom I share a kinship of fate. More than a generation separates us; Zbigniew Herbert climbed the Golgotha of the struggle against censorship before me, and perhaps up a much steeper slope, but the aesthetic mechanisms of resistance were the same, as were the forms of repression that failed to break us. For me, the emotion of receiving this award is connected not only with poetry, but also with history.
The Zbigniew Herberta International Literary Award was created because we believe that Herbert’s work is of exceptional significance and should remain a living element of culture – both in Poland and worldwide. The award is granted for lifetime achievement to the most outstanding poets from around the world whose work reflects the values permeating Herbert’s writing, both artistically and ethically. Orlen was the first strategic sponsor of the Award from 2023 to 2015, and we are pleased to one again collaborated for the benefit of Polish culture and honoring Zbigniew Herbert and his work – stressed Maria Dzieduszycka, president of the Zbigniew Herbert Foundation.
The inception of the Zbigniew Herbert Award was to be a distinction for artists who treat literature as not only a form of personal expression, but also a way of battling reality and history. The works of Ana Blandiana perfectly showcases this understanding of poetry: it is rooted in experience, and carries that experience of its consequences. We see the meaning of literature as a lasting element of culture and public debate, and those are the projects that mean a lot to us in terms of cultural patronage – says Sylwia Snopkiewicz, Executive Director of Sponsorship at ORLEN.
This year’s winner was selected by a committee with the following members: Krystyna Dąbrowska (Poland), Edward Hirsch (USA), Michael Krüger (Germany), Mercedes Monmany (Spain), and Aleš Šteger (Slovenia).
Past laureates include: W. S. Merwin, Charles Simic, Ryszard Krynicki, Lars Gustafsson, Breyten Breytenbach, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill, Agi Miszol, Durs Grünbein, Yusef Komunyakaa, Marianna Kijanowska, Tomas Venclova, Yang Lian, and Anne Carson.
On the occasion of Ana Blandiana receiving the Herbert Award, Publishing House Pogranicze will issue a new volume of her poetry, “Zapada we mnie cisza” translated by Joanna Kornaś-Warwas.
Ana Blandiana, known as the Romanian Joan of Arc due to her anti-regime activity, was subjected to three publication bans (1959–64, 1985, 1988–89). After the fall of Ceaușescu’s dictatorial regime, she co-founded and served as president of the Civic Alliance (1991–2001), a nongovernmental organization advocating for freedom and democratic change. In addition, she reestablished the Romanian PEN Club and became its president. Under the auspices of the European Community, she founded the Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance in Sighet. For her contributions to culture, democracy, and human rights, she was awarded the French Legion of Honor (2009) and the Romanian Woman of Courage Award (2014). Her achievements include numerous literary awards: the Gottfried von Herder Prize (University of Vienna, 1982), the European Poet of Freedom Prize (Gdańsk, 2016), the Griffin Poetry Foundation’s Lifetime Recognition Award (Toronto, 2018), the Golden Wreath Award (Academy of Fine Arts and Sciences of North Macedonia, 2019) and the Princess Asturias Award for Letters (Oviedo, 2024).
The award ceremony is scheduled for May 27, 2026, at the Palace of the Commonwealth in Warsaw. A live stream of the event will be available on the Herbert Foundation’s social media channels.
The Strategic Sponsor of the Award is ORLEN, National Library in Warsaw is the co-organizer of the Award ceremony, Partners include the Romanian Institute of Culture, Liebrecht & wooD and Koneser Praga Center, Media Patron is Polish Radio.
ORLEN – Strategic Partner
ORLEN is a multi-energy group that supplies fuel and energy to millions of customers in Central Europe. It operates from the extraction of oil and gas, through its processing and sale, to the generation and distribution of energy. Its products reach customers in over 100 countries across six continents.
ORLEN’s 2035 strategy assumes the development of low-emission energy sources as defined by the EU. Key projects in this area include increasing domestic gas production, building four offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, and developing large-scale energy storage facilities, and launching at least two small nuclear power plants. By 2035, the company plans to allocate 350-380 BN PLN to achieve its strategic goals. You can learn more about ORLEN’s 3035 strategy here: Strategy 2035.
As a patron of sports, culture, and science, ORLEN supports sports associations, clubs, athletes, key cultural institutions and events, as well as scientific projects. The company is also involved in initiatives for local communities, with an emphasis on projects focussed on children and youth. ORLEN sponsorships are carried out in line with its 2035 strategy and the ORLEN Group Sustainability Development Strategy for 2025-2035.
Media Contact
Sylwia Olczak, PRIMUM PR, e-mail: s.olczak@primum.pl; phone: 608 072 086
Ana Blandiana, photo: Paul Buciuta