Elif Shafak wins 2026 Helena Vaz da Silva European Prize

British-Turkish author Elif Shafak has been named the winner of the 2026 Helena Vaz da Silva European Prize for the Promotion of Cultural Heritage. The announcement was made by the Centro Nacional de Cultura.

The award recognizes Shafak’s literary work as a tool for valuing European cultural heritage and her role as an active voice on contemporary civic issues. The jury highlighted her ability to use storytelling to bring diverse cultural identities to life, addressing modern challenges such as the need for democracy, solidarity, and the celebration of cultural diversity.

The prize was established in 2013 through a collaboration between the Centro Nacional de Cultura, Europa Nostra, and the Clube Português de Imprensa to honor the late Portuguese journalist and activist Helena Vaz da Silva. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 5 at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon.