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European Union Prize for Literature

The European Union Prize for Literature is an annual initiative launched in 2009 to reward the best European emerging authors and celebrate the linguistic diversity and excellence of literature in countries participating in the Creative Europe programme.

Objectives of the prize

The Prize aims to:

  • showcase Europe’s diversity and richness of contemporary fiction
  • raise the profile of winning authors outside their home country and help them cross borders and reach a broader readership
  • promote the publication, translation, sales and ultimately, the reading of books from other European countries
  • encourage transnational circulation of literature, both in Europe and beyond

How the prize is organised

Every year in February, 14 Writers and their books are nominated nationally, 1 for each participating country. All nominated authors are promoted across Europe, with the aim of reaching a wider international audience, and connecting with readers beyond their national and linguistic borders. In April a European jury of 7 is awarding 1 “Grand prix” and 5 special mentions in different categories from the list of the 14 nominated writers.

The prize runs in 3-year long cycles, allowing all 41 countries participating in the Creative Europe programme to nominate a writer.  The current cycle is organised by a consortium consisting of the Federation of European Publishers (FEP) and the International and European Booksellers Federation (EIBF).

Tagged in:  Creative Europe