04.12.2008 New EU prize for literature

Starting next year, the European Commission will present an annual award for contemporary literature. The aim of the prize is to put the spotlight on the creativity and diverse wealth of European contemporary literature and to promote the circulation of literature within Europe.

European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel’: ‘Books are an essential part of our history and the intellectual heritage of Europe. The prize will promote Europe’s cultural richness and diversity’.

The prize will be presented to emerging talents in the field of contemporary literature from each participating country. In addition, a well-known European personality in literature will also be appointed to serve a one‑year term as ‘European Ambassador of Literature’.

A consortium comprising the European Booksellers Federation, the European Writers’ Congress and the Federation of European Publishers will organise the selection process and award ceremony. The first award ceremony will be held in the autumn of 2009. The year 2009 was recently declared EU Year of Creativity and Innovation. Click here for the English press release and here for the Dutch newspaper article.