Europeisk pris for samtidslitteratur

EUs innsats på litteraturfeltet har til nå i hovedsak dreid seg om å gi forlag tilskudd for å oversette europeisk skjønnlitteratur. Dette er en ordning blant annet norske forlag har benyttet seg av for å gjøre samtidens litteratur fra Europa tilgjengelig for et norsk publikum. Med den nye litteraturprisen ønsker EU i enda større grad å sette søkelys på Europas skjønnlitterære mangfold.

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European Prize for Contemporary Literature

Books and literature play a special role in culture and in helping people to learn about others. Beyond the support being provided for the translation of literary works, however, little is being done at European level to promote literature. This prize aims to put the spotlight on the wealth of contemporary literature (fiction) created in Europe.

The aim of the call for proposals which is published in 2008 is to select a body capable of organising the award of a European Union prize for literature in 2009. This body could also be in charge of the subsequent prizes (2010 to 2013), on an annual basis, with the explicit agreement of the European Commission. 

The body in charge of the prize will select new European talents in the field of contemporary literature (fiction) from all the countries participating in the Culture Programme and promote them in participating countries outside their own.

It will also appoint a well-known personality from the field of European literature to take on the role of Ambassador for this prize. This person will be chosen independently of residency and/or nationality considerations.

This person's role will be to support and promote the new talents. Furthermore, the selected body will organise an award ceremony for these prizes which puts the spotlight on this initiative and its European dimension.