Chytomo launches Award for Outstanding Achievements in Publishing

The Chytomo Award, recognizing outstanding achievements in the Ukrainian book publishing and literary sphere, will launch in 2023. The award will be presented annually toward the end of the year to honor the most remarkable achievements which contribute to the development of the book market and the industry as a whole, as well as to the promotion of reading.

Chytomo media is establishing the Award with the support of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association and the Frankfurter Buchmesse. Additionally, Germany’s Ministry of Culture, acting via its project to strengthen cooperation between German and Ukrainian book industries, has provided a monetary award of 4,000 euros in each category.

The award is not just open to publishers — book bloggers, journalists, libraries, bookstores etc., whose achievements have been particularly notable during the year, can be nominated. However, recognising all the challenges that the book industry faced after the full-scale invasion and the extraordinary examples of resilience and creativity it demonstrated, we have decided to extend the timeline for evaluating the achievements of the nominees, encompassing not only 2023 but also the year 2022.

Applications for Chytomo Award can be submitted anytime between Aug. 28 and Sept. 15 of this year in the following categories:

BOOK PUBLISHING MARKET TRENDSETTER (awarded for the development of innovative approaches in publishing houses, the creative transformation of the business, and the development of the book/literary landscape of Ukraine).

BOOK INITIATIVE THAT PROMOTES READING (awarded for finding new methods to bring books to readers, cultivating a positive image for reading, transforming the educational process through reading).

UKRAINIAN BOOK AMBASSADOR (awarded for personal contribution to the visibility of Ukrainian books and literature in the world, and contributing to the formation of a positive image of Ukrainian literature and culture).

Additionally, a SPECIAL AWARD OF THE FRANKFURTER BUCHMESSE  will be presented to honour exceptional achievements of Ukrainian publishers, which also includes the opportunity for booth participation at the fair in 2024.

The Chytomo Award is established by Chytomo, the largest Ukrainian media outlet covering book publishing in Ukraine.

“This is the first comprehensive Award of this kind in the Ukrainian book industry. Essentially, it acknowledges the new realities of the market, where the role of book bloggers, new media, innovative solutions for publishers and distributors, and ultimately, activists and the public, is constantly growing. As the industry becomes more competitive, I think the time has come to recognize not only outstanding literary works but also real phenomena in the world of literature and book publishing: those who set trends, devise innovative solutions, foster conditions for the emergence of new books, authors and readers, and promote Ukrainian literature abroad,” remarks Iryna Baturevych, co-founder of Chytomo.

“If you read Chytomo, you will easily recall lots of astounding stories, achievements and unexpected book market news: the book boom in Podil and throughout Ukraine, the opening of the Kyiv office of one of the world’s most famous literary agencies, 30,000 copies of the debut book at a newly opened publishing house and the transformation of paper coffee cups into book paper. Yes, all during the war. Yes, almost without any state support but with a firm belief that we are the ones who should support the state — be it in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the cultural arena or in the media,” said Oksana Khmelyovska, co-founder of Chytomo.

“We are creating the Chytomo Award primarily to honour the achievements of people who have created literary phenomena, established book trends, amplified important voices and elevated the profile of Ukrainian literature globally. It is important to note that in addition to the monetary reward, the winners will receive exclusive consultations from German publishing experts,” she added.

The selection process for Chytomo Award winners is divided into several stages. The first phase is the nomination of candidates for the Award, which — takes place between Aug. 28 and Sept. 15, 2023. Candidates can be nominated by both Ukrainian and foreign organizations: Ukrainian cultural institutions abroad, civil associations, law firms, educational institutions, library institutions and associations, media outlets, etc. Every organization can nominate up to three nominees by completing an application form.

During the first stage of the selection process, the Organizing Committee compiles a long list of candidates after reviewing application forms for compliance with the requirements and priorities of the award. Short lists for each nomination will be defined by a qualified jury, members of which will be announced separately. At the final stage, the jury members will select the winners of the award by evaluating candidates across every category.

Award winners will receive unique statuettes and a cash prize of 4,000 Euros for each of the three nominations, as well as for the Special award of the Frankfurt Book Fair (includes the possibility of participation at the stand at the Frankfurter Buchmesse in 2024).

The Chytomo Award Ceremony, featuring the finalists and jury members, will take place in November 2023 in Kyiv either in person or streamed online, depending on the circumstances. The list of winners will also be posted on the website https://chytomo.com/

See Chytomo Award Regulations for a complete list of criteria and requirements for each nomination.

Chytomo is the largest Ukrainian media outlet covering book publishing in the country. Chytomo forms a community united by a love for texts and visual culture. The media serves as a platform for communication and discussion among participants of the publishing market, literary and artistic circles, reading communities, as well as specialized institutions engaged in legislative, executive, and program activities.

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