The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) recognises emerging fiction writers from the European Union and beyond. Engaging the 41 countries participating in the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, the Prize celebrates 41 outstanding new literary talents across a cycle of three years. Spotlighting the creativity and the diverse wealth of Europe’s contemporary literature in the field of fiction, EUPL aims to encourage the circulation of literature within Europe and encourage greater interest in non-national literary works.
Following a successful 2022 edition which introduced changes to the overall organisation of the Prize, a seven-member European jury made of literary experts with professional influence will award one overall winner accompanied by five special mentions on April 28 at Leipzig Book Fair :
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 Outpost), 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 (Red Riding Hood, a fairy 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
Thirteen countries participated in EUPL 2023: Armenia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Poland, Sweden. The 13 national nominees were revealed on 7 March 2023, one for each participating country. The authors and their novels were nominated by national entities, knowledgeable about the literary scene in their countries and used to promoting their national literature abroad.
All nominated authors will be continuously promoted on a European stage, aiming to reach a wider and international audience, as well as connect with readers beyond their national and linguistic borders.
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 Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
