Spiró told the Hungarian News Agency he appreciated Fejérvári's decision to pitch his book, which tells the story of a Jewish boy born in Rome. He added that the book has not yet been published outside of Hungary.
Fejérvári is one of ten finalists from around the world who will pitch books from their home countries to a panel of publishing industry experts in London.
In addition to Captivity, Fejérvári will pitch the novel Metaxa by László Garaczi, a treatment of the life of the Hungarian writer Sándor Márai edited by Tibor Mészáros, and a volume of a Hungarian art and music album, complete with CDs, put together by gallery owner Tamás Kieselbach.
The IYPY award is a collaboration between the British Council and London Book Fair. It was launched in 2004 to celebrate the entrepreneurial and leadership ability of a young person - aged between 25 and 35 - working in the publishing sector in their own country. The award is targeted at transitional and developing economies and celebrates and champions the notion of creative leadership - specifically the need to identify and nurture future leaders of the publishing industry in these markets.
Ten British Council offices are selected to participate in the IYPY programme each year. In turn, each office selects one entrepreneurial young publisher as their national finalist. The ten international finalists travel to the UK to take part in a ten-day tour of the UK publishing sector, attend London Book Fair, and compete for the IYPY award.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI) / dunatv.hu / British Council
