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Culture and Creativity

Published:  27 Feb 2026

Shortlisted authors for the EU Prize for Literature 2026 announced

Emerging authors from 14 countries have been shortlisted for the European Union Prize for Literature, the flagship literary prize supported by Creative Europe. The jury will announce the winner on 29 May at the Warsaw book fair.

Composite image of the shortlisted authors

Shortlisted authors

These are the shortlisted authors for the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) in 2026.

CountryAuthorBook
ArmeniaSargis HOVSEPYANYou Die Today, I Die Tomorrow
CroatiaLora TOMAŠPaper of Your Skin
CzechiaDora KAPRÁLOVÁThe Maribor Hypnosis
CyprusEvridiki PERICLEOUS-PAPADOPOULOU​Sorely Grieved: Helen of Karpasia
EstoniaLilli LUUKNight Mother
FinlandSusanna HASTDespair
FranceHélène FRÉDÉRICKRivers of White
Kosovo 1 Arben IDRIZIThe Man Who Wondered and
Other Stories
LiechtensteinMathias OSPELTEbony
LuxembourgElise SCHMITGeneral doubts about the future course of events
MoldovaPaula ERIZANUHere Is Both Heaven and Hell. Republic of Moldova: A Century of Lived History
MontenegroVladimir VUJOVIĆFree Kicks
North MacedoniaIvan SHOPOVZentrifuge
SwedenFrans WACHTMEISTERFörlorad mark

The 2026 EUPL laureate and the special mentions will be revealed on 29 May, during the announcement ceremony at the Warsaw Book Fair.

All shortlisted authors will be promoted across Europe to help them reach a more international audience and connect with readers beyond their national and linguistic borders.

About the European Union Prize for Literature

The prize is an annual initiative of the Creative Europe programme. It started in 2009 to recognise the best European emerging authors and celebrate the linguistic diversity and excellence of literature in countries participating in the Creative Europe programme.

 

  1. This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence ↩ back
Published:  27 Feb 2026

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