The 10th Annual Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards honour those who, often at great personal risk, have fought to expose censorship and abuse. Read the full shortlist here.
The night is also Index’s most important fundraising event. Your support in the auction will help fund our work for the next 12 months, so bid early and bid high!
If you weren’t quick enough to secure tickets to the event or you want to bid prior to the night, please send an email to awards[at]indexoncensorship.org with your contact details, the item you wish to bid for and your bidding price. We will contact you 24 hours before the event to verify your bid. If you are not outbid on the night, the item is yours!
Auction
A guitar lesson with Mark Knopfler
A unique opportunity for a one-to-one lesson with guitar legend Mark Knopfler at his London studio. The session, which includes a studio tour, will take place in September 2010 following Mark’s Get Lucky World Tour.
A Painting by Patrick Hughes
A 3-D relief painting by eminent British artist Patrick Hughes. Not merely three-dimensional in nature, his “reverspectives” (a term coined by the artist to describe his pointed reliefs) at times border on the surreal, offering a unique visual experience.
A week in a dream villa in Tuscany for up to ten people 
This beautiful 18th century villa sits alone on a hill above the village of Paganico, commanding stunning views of the Tuscan countryside. With five double bedrooms, each with ensuite, the villa sleeps ten in comfort and luxury. There are three sitting rooms, a dining room, a large country kitchen, two terraces and a large swimming pool. With good beaches just 45 minutes away, and Siena, Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino and Monte Amiata all a short drive away, there is lots to see and do. More pictures here. Please note the villa has limited availability in the summer.
A week in the South of France for up to eight people
Spend a week with up to eight people in a 14th century house in Languedoc. Situated in Lagrasse, a beautiful medieval village south of historic Carcassonne, the house enjoys a balcony overlooking the Orbieu river where you can swim. The sea is about one hour away. The house is available all year except between mid-July to mid-September. More pictures here.
Martin Rowson’s highly defamatory Stripsearch cartoon
Original Martin Rowson’s stripsearch cartoon. Click here to see detail
A weekend break in a Paris apartment
Spend a stylish weekend in Paris. Available for a long weekend, Thursday to Monday, this one bedroom flat in the Marais, next to the Bastille Metro, is only five minutes’ walk from the Place des Vosges and Isle Saint Louis. As well as one double bed, there is a sofa bed in the sitting room. The flat was very recently renovated; it has wonderful views and is in a quiet block. More pictures here.
RAFFLE
BUY Raffle Tickets at £20 or six tickets for £100 for a chance to win one of the following prizes.
Andrew Motion poem
A distinctive verse especially composed for Index on Censorship by former Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, handwritten, signed and framed.
Martin Rowson commission
Acclaimed cartoonist and novelist Martin Rowson will sketch you, your dog or whoever else you would like to submit to ignominy
England Rugby Shirt
An official England rugby shirt in classic colours, signed by the 2008 England team. A perfect present for all rugby fans, the shirt comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Signed copy of his memoirs, The Insider by Piers Morgan, the renowned former editor the News of the World and the Daily Mirror, television presenter and Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent judge.
Simon Jenkins – Signed book
Signed copy of England’s Thousand Best Churches by Sir Simon Jenkins, Chairman of The National Trust and former editor of the Evening Standard and The Times.
Donna Tartt special edition
A beautiful boxed set of The Secret History and The Little Friend by Donna Tartt, cloth-bound with silver edging, numbered and signed by the author in luxury Venetian ink.
Michael Scammell – Signed book
Signed copy of Koestler – the Indispensable Intellectual, the recently published new biography of Arthur Koestler by Index on Censorship founding editor Michael Scammell.
