The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) was awarded on Friday at a ceremony at the Leipzig Book Fair to Martina Vidaić from Croatia for her novel Stjenice (Bedbugs).
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 financial support of the Creative Europe Programme of the EU.
The literature prize recognizes emerging fiction writers from the EU and beyond and draws attention to Europe’s cultural and linguistic heritage. The prize aims to promote cross-border mobility of those working in the cultural sector, to encourage the transnational circulation of cultural and artistic output, and to foster intercultural dialogue.
Thirteen countries participated in this year’s edition of EUPL: Armenia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Poland, and Sweden. The 13 national nominees were selected by national juries while the winner and five special mentions were decided by a seven-member European jury of literature experts.
“I was very surprised to be awarded the prize,” Martina Vidaić, told The Brussels Times. “I came to Leipzig with no expectations, thinking that the only realistic wish for me was to become one of the special mentions, but it turned out that I was wrong. Luckily.”
Martina, 37, graduated in Croatian language and literature and has won three national poetry awards. She also writes in prose and her latest book was the novel Stjenice (Bedbugs), published in November 2021 (publisher: Naklada Ljevak).
What makes her choose between poetry and prose? “I can't explain how I choose between them,” she replied. “I guess it's some kind of intuition. Usually, I want to write about something and then I decide, based on a feeling, whether the topic is for poetry or prose.”
In the book, a young architect deals with the loss of her partner by writing a letter. Croatian critics and readers were divided about the book. “Some of them absolutely loved it, some didn't.”
“It’s a story about contemporary existence,” she explains. “I can generally describe it as a book about loneliness, anxiety and freedom but it deals also with other topics. I don't think that we can ever overcome loneliness, it's part of the human condition. We can only accept it and deal with it.”
Five special mentions in EUPL23
This year’s five special mentions are, in alphabetical order by country:
Cyprus: Χάρη Ν. Σπανού (Hari N. Spanou), Φυλάκιο (The Outpost), Publisher: Εκδόσεις Αιγαίον (Aegan Publications)
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
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. According to Ricardo Franco Levi, FEP President, the jury selected the books it sees most likely to ‘travel’ and meet new readership outside their borders.
“Books are very dear to my heart,” said Mariya Gabriel, the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. She congratulated Martina and the five other authors who had 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.”
“I wish them all a successful literary career and many great books that will fill the shelves of bookshops all around Europe and beyond and that will cross borders and help us understand each other better,” said Jean Luc Treutenaere, co-President of EIBF.
M. Apelblat
The Brussels Times
