Winners of London Book Fair International Excellence Awards 2022 announced

The London Book Fair International Excellence Awards 2022 have been announced.  

«Over the past few challenging years, publishing has shown time and again a dedication to readers and a passion for the written word, which cannot fail to impress and inspire. We look forward to meeting with some of the winners in person at the fair to discuss their work and learn how they intend to innovate further in future», – said Andy Ventris, Director of The London Book Fair.

Awards were given to 8 winners from 7 countries:

• The Library of the Year Award went to «Fran Galovic» Koprivnica Public Library (Croatia)

The International Excellence Awards jury said: «We felt that the Croatian submission reflected the work that has been done by librarians everywhere – not just to put information online but to build the digital literacy and skills that users, particularly children and young people, need to stay engaged and keep learning online».

• Rahva Raamat Viru Store (Estonia) won The Bookstore of the Year Award, being commended for «demonstrating the importance of sustainability throughout its refurbishment, combining ‘fusion environments’ that respect their roots, nourish nostalgia, and also provide modern technical services. These all combine to create a wonderful, cultural oasis for its community and customers, regardless of their language, interests or age, served by knowledgeable staff who are inspired to offer a level of service that matches the stimulating environment».

• The Audiobook Publisher of the Year went to Saga Egmont (Denmark). 

The jury recognized the publisher’s «international reach, plus the breadth of their global audio publishing, and their commitment to translating into multiple languages and reaching new territories». They also admired the «commitment to recording previously unavailable titles».

• Macmillan Audio (USA) also received a special commendation from the judges for «impressive growth over and above organic market growth, showcasing bestsellers and for their creativity and promotion which garnered critical acclaim».

• Tulika Publishers (India) was the winner of the Children’s & Young Adult Publisher Award, introduced in 2022.  

Judges recognized the organization’s «clear publishing philosophy and the commitment that they show in their publishing programme to create books for a wide group of young readers in different languages».

• Institut Ramon Llull (Spain), which participated in the “Spotlight on Catalan” exhibition at the London Book Fair, won the Literary Translation Initiative Award. 

«The Institut Ramon Llull really punches above its weight. Working in partnership with the extensive networks it has developed among universities, cultural centres, publishers and translators, it has created a wide-ranging set of interconnected initiatives to promote translation – from providing translation grants, residencies and summer-school support for budding translators, to fellowships for publishers and literary agents. Through their work in exporting and championing Catalan literature and those translators working in the field, the Institut Ramon Llull helps to ensure that Catalan literature, across all genres, thrives well beyond its own borders», – the jury said.  

• Editions Animées (France) won The Educational Innovation Award. The jury called their BlinkBook initiative “an engaging way to use technology and innovative in drawing young children into the world of reading, providing helpful support to the core learning process.”

• Anna Soler-Pont, Pontas Agency (Spain) won The Rights Professional Award, sponsored by Sharjah Book Authority.  The judges praised Soler-Pont’s agency as “not only outstanding among Spanish agencies but exceptional in its history of having reached out to writers beyond Europe, notably in the Middle East and Asia, and to have found them publishers all over the world.”

• This year’s Inclusivity in Publishing Award was awarded to Bloomsbury.

The judges noted that they were «impressed by the breadth of the scope of Bloomsbury’s efforts surrounding diversity and inclusion, addressing a wide range of areas».

Publishers from 17 countries were nominated for awards this year. 

In 2019, the Ukrainian Book Arsenal Festival won the London Book Fair International Excellence Award for best Literary Festival, and in 2021 ABUK was shortlisted for Audiobook Publisher of the Year.   

Read also: A bright London debut: Arsenal’s victory and attention to the Ukrainian exhibition.