While his German publisher quickly put up large Nobel posters at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Hungarian state-run literary agency made do with an A4 sheet of paper. This caused anger at home, says Dora Szekeres. The person in charge finally responded to the criticism in a short newspaper article.
He wrote that Krasznahorkai's success and Nobel Prize are proof that "we are doing our job well." Of course, that's not true, Krasznahorkai has done everything himself!, she says.
This year's Nobel laureate has made no secret of his critical stance towards Prime Minister Orbán's national conservative rule. In SVT's traditional Nobel interview, he describes the political situation in the country as "terrible" and "very difficult."
There has not yet been any indication of a government Nobel prize for his writing, according to Dora Szekeres. However, Viktor Orbán's press secretary published a picture stating that Hungary has now received the Nobel Prize.
I would never say that, it was Krasznahorkai who got it, his books and his fantastic novels, she says.
Rude street
On the shabby Dankó Street in Budapest, someone has pasted tribute posters with Krasznahorkai's portrait on the gutters. "Dear lonely, tired, sensitive readers," he replies on his Facebook page, "deeply moved" by the congratulations.
Many Hungarians are extremely happy about the award, says Dora Szekeres, who mentions a number of initiatives, not least in Krasznahorkai's hometown. As editor of the independent Hungarian literary magazine Litera, she has also received lots of questions.
The genre he more or less invented is so unique that many are afraid to read him, but once they start they realize how interesting it is, dark but also funny, humorous and ironic.
Patriotism “everywhere”
His latest novel, "The Security of the Hungarian Nation," is coming out in Swedish in the coming days. It centers on a butterfly expert at the Natural History Museum whose new boss is "a political tycoon who urges employees to highlight the Hungarian trees."
It's comical, these trees and bushes are everywhere, says his translator Daniel Gustafsson, who notes that Krasznahorkai is making fun of a patriotism that should be printed everywhere.
Born: 1954 in Gyula, Hungary.
Lives: In Szentendre (Hungary), in Vienna and Trieste.
Background: Studied law, Hungarian and literature at university. Debuted as a writer in 1985 with "Satantango" which was a great success. Quickly became known for his uncompromising style. Didn't leave his homeland until 1987, but has since lived in several other countries.
For his "visionary and powerful writing that, amidst the horror of doom, maintains faith in the possibilities of art," he is awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Literature.
