EBRD: BBC Ukrainian launches its 13th annual literary prize for the best works of fiction in Ukrainian language

EBRD: BBC Ukrainian launches its 13th annual literary prize for the best works of fiction in Ukrainian language

LONDON, 19-Sep-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — BBC Ukrainian has launched its 13th annual literary prize for the best works of fiction in the Ukrainian language – BBC Book of the Year (Книга року BBC 2017) and BBC Children’s Book of the Year (Дитяча Книга року BBC 2017) – in partnership with the Cultural Programme of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The 2017 awards were announced at the Lviv International Book Fair and Literarure Festival, where the BBC held a roundtable discussion on “How Ukrainian literature has changed over 13 years of the BBC Book of the Year”.

BBC Ukrainian editor, Nina Kuryata, said: “Over the past 13 years, the BBC Book of the Year award has been won by novels, novellas and collections of short stories, and whatever the genre or the subject, they all have demonstrated masterful storytelling and high standards of the Ukrainian language. Our awards continue to reflect a demand for, and appreciation of, literary excellence.”

Svitlana Pyrkalo, EBRD cultural advisor, added: “In children’s literature in Ukraine, we have seen great vibrancy. The special award for children’s literature was introduced after a historical novel for teenagers won the BBC Book of the Year in 2011, demonstrating that it is on par with literature written for adults. Last year’s winner, ‘13 Tales in the Dark’ by Halyna Tkachuk, invited us into a world of pure fun with friendly monsters. Whether playful or serious, whether fairytale, fantasy, adventure or detective story, a great many books written for children in Ukraine will give joy to grown-ups as well.”

The BBC Book of the Year awards, which also consider translations of books by Ukrainian authors writing in any languages of Ukraine, will be judged by:

• Vira Ageyeva, professor, Ukraine National University “Kiev-Mohyla Academy”
• Olga Gerasymiuk, journalist, member of Ukrainian National Council for TV and Radio Broadcasting
• Taras Lyuty, philosopher, writer
• Svitlana Pyrkalo, EBRD cultural advisor
• Marta Shokalo, BBC Ukrainian desk editor
• Vitaliy Zhezhera, writer, journalist.

The winning author in each category will be awarded the Ukrainian hryvnia equivalent of £1,000. The publishers of the BBC Book of the Year and BBC Children’s Book of the Year 2017 will have the right to use the logos of the BBC Ukrainian book awards on subsequent editions.

Publishers can submit up to three books in each category, and up to two new books by previous winners. Submitted books must be works of fiction in the Ukrainian language (original works or translations), published within the past 12 months. For detailed terms and conditions, go to bbc.ua.

The longlists in each category are selected by the BBC Ukrainian team. The panel listed above compiles the shortlists and selects the winners.

The deadline for nominations is 1 October 2017.  The winners will be announced in December 2017.

Past years’ winners are:

2016 – “Oblivion” (“Забуття”) by Tanya Malyarchuk (BBC Book of the Year) and “Thirteen Tales in the Dark” (“Тринадцять історій у темряві”) by Halyna Tkachuk (BBC Children’s Book of the Year)

2015 – “The House by Bating Hallow” (“Дім у Бейтінг Голлов”) by Vasyl Makhno and “140 Decibels of Silence” (“140 децибелів тиші”) by Andriy Bachynsky

2014 – “Felix Austria” (“Фелікс Австрія”) by Sofia Andrukhovich and “Dragons, Forward!” (“Дракони, вперед!“) by Katya Shtanko

2013 – “The Remote Space” (“Далекий простір”) by Yaroslav Melnyk and “Who Will Make the Snow” (“Хто зробить сніг”) by Maryana and Taras Prokhasko

2012 – “The Tango of Death” (“Танго смерті”) by Yuri Vynnychuk and “The Secret Society of Cowards and Liars” (“Таємне Товариство Боягузів та Брехунів”) by Lesya Voronyna

2011 – “Blue Waters” (“Cині води”) by Volodymir Rutkivskiy

2010 – “Voroshilovgrad” (“Ворошиловград”) by Sergiy Zhadan

2009 – “TAKE” (“ТАКЕ”) by Izdrik

2008 – “Milk and Blood” (“Молоко з кров’ю”) by Lyuko Dashvar

2007 – “Andriyivskyy Descent” (“Андріївський узвіз”) by Volodimir Dibrovа

2006 – “Capital” (“Капітал”) by Sergiy Zhadan

2005 – “Spring Games in Autumn Gardens” (“Весняні ігри в осінніх садах”) by Yuriy Vynnychuk.

For more information please contact:

BBC World Service: Lala Najafova lala.najafova@bbc.co.uk

EBRD: Svitlana Pyrkalo pyrkalos@ebrd.com

SOURCE: EBRD