The Bookseller.com

4th July 2009

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EU launches new lit prize

03.12.08

The European Commission is launching a new European Union prize for contemporary literature.
The aim is to promote circulation of literature within Europe and encourage greater interest in non-national literary works, and the first European Prize for Contemporary Literature will be awarded in next autumn.

It will award emerging talent and also award a well-known European literary figure each year to take on the role of "European Ambassador of Literature.

A consortium of the European Booksellers Federation, the European Writers' Congress and the Federation of European Publishers are organising the selection process and award ceremony.

The European commissioner for education, training, culture and youth, Ján Figel praised the timing of the award, as 2009 is designated as the European Year of Creativity and Innovation.

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