Pegasus Prize

The Pegasus Prize for Literature is a literary prize established by Mobil (now ExxonMobil) in 1977 to honor works from countries whose literature is rarely translated into English.^[1] The prize includes a monetary award, a medal depicting Pegasus, and translation into English and subsequent publication of the work by Louisiana State University Press.^[2] As at 2024 the Louisiana State University Press lists the Pegasus Prize as an inactive series.^[3]

The country is first recommended by a committee and then an independent selection committee in the chosen nation determines the winner.^[4] Representatives to the country selection committee have included Mona Simpson, Alan Cheuse, and William Jay Smith.^{[citation needed]} In 1984 Mobil focussed on New Zealand alongside its sponsorship of the Te Maori exhibition in New York.^[5] The selection panel came from outside the "literary establishment" and included both Māori and non-Māori (pākehā): Sidney Mead, Peter Sharples, Anne Salmond, Terry Sturm, Elizabeth Murchie and Wiremu Parker.^[5]

Winners of the Pegasus Prize

• 1979 - Kirsten Thorup for Baby^[6]
• 1980 - Tidiane Dem for Masseni
• 1983 - Cees Nooteboom for Rituals
• 1985 - Keri Hulme for The Bone People^[7]
• 1986 - Ismail Marahimin for And the War is Over
• 1989 - Kjartan Fløgstad for Dollar Road
• 1991 - Jia Pingwa for Turbulence
• 1993 - Martin Simecka for The Year of the Frog
• 1994 - Bilge Karasu for Night
• 1995 - Francisco Rebolledo for Rasero
• 1996 - Mario de Carvalho for A God Strolling in the Cool of the Evening
• 1998 - Ana Teresa Torres for Doña Inés vs. Oblivion^[8]