Ukrainian publishing news platform Chytomo has launched the Chytomo Award for Outstanding Achievements in Publishing. The award is intended to recognize the achievements of Ukrainian book publishing and of literary figures who have made a contribution to the development and restoration of Ukrainian literature. The prize can be given to a business, institution or individual, both foreign and domestic.
The prize is being sponsored by the German Publishers and Booksellers Association and the Frankfurt Book Fair. Furthermore, Germany’s Ministry of Culture has committed €900,000 to fostering collaboration between the Ukrainian and German publishing industries, and is supporting the prize with a cash award of €4,000 euros to each winner. Nominations are now open, and will be taken until September 15. The winners, in four categories, will announced at a ceremony in Kiev this November.
The prize categories are:
- Book Publishing Market Trendsetter, awarded for the development of innovative approaches in publishing houses, the creative transformation of the business, and the development of the book/literary landscape of Ukraine
- Book Initiative That Promotes Reading, awarded for finding new methods to bring books to readers, cultivating a positive image for reading, and transforming the educational process through reading
- Ukrainian Book Ambassador, awarded for personal contribution to the visibility of Ukrainian books and literature in the world, and contributing to the formation of a positive image of Ukrainian literature and culture
- In addition, a Special Award of the Frankfurt Book Fair will be offered to honor exceptional achievements of Ukrainian publishers, which also includes the opportunity for booth participation at the fair in 2024
The jury for the prize is:
- Oksana Khmelyovska, Chytomo
- Gvantsa Jobava, International Publishers Association
- Uilleam Blacker, University College London
- Vladka Kupska, Frankfurter Buchmesse
- Volodymyr Sheiko, Ukrainian Institute
- Tetiana Teren, PEN Ukraine
- Yulia Kozlovets, Book Arsenal Festival
- Valeriy Pekar, entrepreneur, essayist, and lecturer at the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School
"We are discovering more and more outstanding initiatives that are changing the Ukrainian publishing landscape right now, lots of projects that will potentially make a great impact on publishing in the future," said Ira Baturevych, cofounder of Chytomo. "I can already see that it's so important to bring more visibility to these projects and people—those who are defining the future of Ukrainian publishing, setting the trends. Of course, we shouldn't forget that this future is possible because of Ukrainian soldiers, who are fighting now to give us a chance to keep on going. However, it remains crucial to spotlight the efforts of the professionals who are making the voices from Ukraine readable, visible and heard."
