Salman Rushdie coming to Denmark after being denied entry 17 years ago

The H.C. Andersen 2014 literature award comes with a DKK 500,000 cheque, reports Seven59.dk and b.dk.

Mr Rushdie, one of the biggest names in modern literature, provoked violent protests from Muslims in several countries for his 1988 book, The Satanic Verses, including a death threat from Ayatollah Khomeini, rule of Iran at the time.

The author was refused entry into Denmark in 1996 when prime minister at the time, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, was accused of cancelling the visit to protect Danish interests in the Middle East.

Ceremony in Odense

According to a press release from the H.C. Andersen Literature Committee, Mr Rushdie will receive his award in a ceremony in Odense on the 17 August, but there’s no mention of what security precautions will be taken.

Article in Danish here.

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