Born in 1960, Andrzej Stasiuk is a contemporary Polish writer, journalist, critic, poet, and playwright. He is best known for his travel writings and essays depicting the reality of Central Europe, as well as his essays exploring the relationships between Central and Western Europe. A conscientious objector, he spent one and a half years in prison for desertion. Some of his most notable works include "Mury Hebronu" (The Walls of Hebron, 1992), "Wiersze miłosne i nie" (Love Poems and Others, 1994), "Biały kruk" (White Raven, 1995), and "Opowieści galicyjskie" (Galician Tales, 1995). Among his accolades are the Nike Literary Award (2005), the Gdynia Literary Prize (2010), the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Award (2011), and the Austrian State Prize (2016).