The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) recognises emerging fiction writers from the European Union and beyond. Engaging the 40 countries participating in the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, the Prize celebrates 40 outstanding new literary talents across a cycle of three years.
Spotlighting the creativity and the immense and diverse wealth of Europe’s contemporary literature in the field of fiction, EUPL aims to promote the circulation of literature within Europe. The goal is to encourage greater interest in non-national literary works and to showcase the literary and linguistic diversity of countries participating in the Creative Europe programme.
The EUPL Consortium is proud to reveal today the list of 13 shortlisted authors for the EUPL 2025 edition, one for each participating country. The authors and their novels were selected by national entities knowledgeable about the literary scene in their countries and used to promoting their own literature abroad.
It is with pleasure that the shortlisted authors for this year are:
· Austria: Ljuba Arnautović, Erste Töchter (First Daughters)
· Belgium: Philippe Marczewski, Quand Cécile (When Cécile)
· Bosnia-Herzegovina: Mihaela Šumić, Čovjek vuk (The Wolf Man)
· Georgia: Tea Topuria, იაკობის ჭასთან (By Jacob's Well)
· Greece: Makis Malafekas, Deepfake (Deepfake)
· Ireland: Sheila Armstrong, Falling Animals (Falling Animals)
· Italy: Nicoletta Verna, I Giorni di Vetro (The Days of Glass)
· Lithuania: Kotryna Zylė, Mylimi Kaulai (Beloved Bones)
· Norway: Maria Kjos Fonn, Margaret, er du i sorg (Margaret, Are You Grieving)
· Romania: Bogdan Crețu, Mai puţin decât dragostea (Less Than Love)
· Slovakia: Lukáš Cabala, Spomenieš si na Trenčín? (Will you remember Trenčín?)
· Spain: David Uclés, La peninsula de las casas vacías (The Peninsula of Empty Houses)
· Ukraine: Halyna Matveeva, Ключ соль (The Key of G)
Watch the announcement video here.
The seven members of the European jury will now read excerpts from all the shortlisted books and make their choice in the upcoming month to award one EUPL Prize lauerate for this edition, together with recognising five special mentions.
The 2025 EUPL Prize laureate and the two special mentions will be revealed on 16 May 2025 at 18:00, during the announcement ceremony at Book World Prague fair in the Bohemian Pavilion.
All shortlisted authors will be continuously promoted on the European stage, aiming to reach a wider and international audience, as well as connect with readers beyond their national and linguistic borders.
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 support of the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport said: “Warm congratulations to all the shortlisted authors of this year’s edition of the European Union Prize for Literature. I am proud to see such a variety of emerging talents from so many different horizons. Books know no borders. Authors are the creators of this magical place where printed words become images, thoughts and ideas, that can then be shared, debated or passed on. Through their writing, they convey the universal values that shape our European societies. The book sector therefore deserves our continued support to maintain its tremendous contribution to the cultural and creative industry, but also to make sure books keep their special role in our everyday lives.”
Sonia Draga, President of FEP, said: “For a publisher like me and for all literature lovers, discovering a new literary talent is a wonder, then thirteen, you can imagine how extraordinary this is. Besides the European jury, many publishers around Europe and beyond, will be eagerly awaiting the sample translations. I wish the best to all shortlisted authors. On behalf of the Federation of European Publishers, our wish is for all shortlisted authors to find new readers in Europe through the variety of languages of Europe, as we do remember the words of Umberto Eco: the language of Europe is translation.”
Fabian Paagman, President of EIBF, said: ‘’The years may pass, and the shortlisted authors may change, but, ultimately, the EUPL always achieves its mission: conveying the richness and diversity of European literature, always outlining some of the most promising fiction authors in the participating countries. In 2025, EUPL has spotlighted 13 authors, out of which a European jury will select two special mentions and one overall laureate. However, no matter the result, the true value of the prize lies in promoting literature from a plethora of different cultures and languages, which nurture and bolster the vibrancy of our societies. On behalf of the European and International Booksellers Federation, I want to congratulate all the authors, and I cannot wait to see their works perched on the shelves of bookshops across Europe – and beyond!”
