Michal Hvorecky, a Slovak alumnus of the University of Iowa's 2004 International Writing Program (IWP), is the winner of the International Journalist Award, 1989 – 2009: Europe in Dialog. The award is sponsored by MitOst, which promotes cultural and language exchange programs in central, eastern and southeastern Europe. The award is co-financed by the European Union.

Print journalists between the ages of 18 and 35 from 55 European countries were eligible to compete for the award by submitting an article on the process of Europeans leaving behind the old dividing lines between East and West. Hvorecky’s winning submission is entitled: “Childhood’s End: Summer 1989.” He is the author of two short-story collections and three novels. He also writes as a freelance journalist for Slovak newspapers.

Read an English translation of Hvorecky’s award-winning article here.