Ukrainian Awards Proceed Amid Blackout
The Chytomo Awards, which honor the best in Ukrainian publishing, took place January 29 in Kyiv, despite frigid temperatures and a blackout resulting from Russian drone attacks. Generators were deployed to supply electricity, with participants traveling from from across the country, including the frontlines, as well as abroad.
The prizes were first awarded in 2024 and are intended to draw attention to the efforts of publishers to continue their work amid the ongoing war in Russia. This year 82 applications submitted, and a jury selected winners across three main categories, plus a special award from the Frankfurt Book Fair. The International Renaissance Foundation is the main partner for the event. Each category winner receives: UAH 150,000 ($3,500).
Here are the 2025 Chytomo Award winners:
- Book Publishing Market Trendsetter: Sense Bookstore in Kyiv "for creating an open book space for dialogue and cultural diplomacy."
- Ukrainian Book Ambassador: Yuliya Kozlovets, "for establishing institutional ties between Ukraine and foreign partners and attracting international support for Ukraine's book industry."
- Book Initiative that Promotes Reading: Book to the Front initiative by Cultural Forces NGO, "for systematic work developing reading as a tool for growth and psychological support for the military."
- Special Award: Osnovy Publishing House, receives a free stand at Frankfurt Book Fair 2026 (Oct. 7-11)
Pictured: Chytomo cofounder Iryna Baturevych with Andrii Ovcharuk from Books to the Frontline initiative.
