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Published:  28 Apr 2023

Here are the winners of the 2023 European Union Prize for Literature

The jury of the European Union Prize of Literature (EUPL) have announced the laureates of 2023 edition of the prize at the Leipzig Book Fair.

2023 European Prize for Literature nominees

For the 2023 edition, emerging authors from 13 countries had been nominated by their country. An international jury composed of 7 literary personalities have announced the winner of the Grand prix on 28 April, at the Leipzig Book Fair.

The 2023 winners

Martina Vidaić, from Croatia is the winner of the 2023 edition of the EU Prize for Literature. The 5 authors who have received a mention are

  • Maud Simonnot from France
  • Ag Apolloni from Kosovo
  • Iida Rauma from Finland
  • Tõnis Tootsen from Estonia
  • Χάρη Ν. Σπανού (Hari N. Spanou) from Cyprus

Books are very dear to my heart. This is why I launched the Day of European Authors this year, and today is another beautiful opportunity to celebrate European literature. My warm congratulations go to the winner of the European Union Prize for Literature in 2023, and to the five authors who have received a mention! Your work is a reflection of the talent and creativity of the European literary scene. I cannot wait to dive into your books, and I hope that many other readers will do the same.

- Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

The 2023 nominees

The 13 nominees for the 2023 European Union prize for literature were

  • Armenia: Lusine Kharatyan, ՍԻՐԻԱՎԵՊ (A Syrian Affair), Publisher: Granish
  • Croatia: Martina Vidaić, Stjenice (Bedbugs), Publisher: Naklada Ljevak
  • Cyprus: Χάρη Ν. Σπανού (Hari N. Spanou), Φυλάκιο (The Outlook), Publisher: Εκδόσεις Αιγαίον (Aegan Publications)
  • Czechia: Ondřej Štindl, Tolik popela (So Much Ash), Publisher: Argo
  • Estonia: Tõnis Tootsen, Ahvide pasteet. Ühe ahvi mälestusi ja mõtteid (Pâté of the Apes: One Primate’s Thoughts and Memories), Publisher: Kaarnakivi Seltsi Kirjastus
  • Finland: Iida Rauma, Hävitys (Destruction), Publisher: Siltala Publishing
  • France: Maud Simonnot, L’heure des oiseaux (The Hour of Birds), Publisher: Editions de l’Observatoire
  • Kosovo: Ag Apolloni, Kësulëkuqja, përrallë për të rritur (Little Red Riding Hood, a tale for adults), Publisher : Bard Books
  • Liechtenstein: Anna Ospelt, Fruhe pflanzung (Early Planting), Publisher: Limmat
  • Luxembourg: Jeff Schinker, Ma vie sous les tentes (My life in tents), Publisher: Hydre Éditions
  • Montenegro: Ilija Đurović, Sampas, Publisher: Treći Trg
  • Poland: Sabina Jakubowska, Akuszerki (The Midwives), Publisher: Grupa Wydawnicza Relacja
  • Sweden: Marit Kapla, Kärlek på svenska (Love in Swedish), Publisher: Teg Publishing

All nominated authors will be continuously promoted at European level. This will help them reach a wider and more international audience, as well as connect with readers beyond their national and linguistic borders.

The 2023 selection displays a great variety of languages, countries stories, and voices. It is a perfect illustration of what EU and creative Europe stand for: openness and support to cultural and linguistic diversity within and beyond EU.

About the prize

The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) recognises emerging fiction writers from the European Union and beyond since its creation in 2009. The Prize celebrates outstanding new literary talents from all 41 countries participating in the Creative Europe programme.

Spotlighting the creativity and the immense and diverse wealth of Europe’s contemporary literature in the field of fiction, EUPL aims to promote the circulation of literature within Europe and encourage greater interest in non-national literary works.

The EUPL is organised by a Consortium of associations comprising the Federation of European Publishers (FEP) and the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), with the support of the European Commission.

Tagged in:  Creative Europe
Published:  28 Apr 2023