2025 Chytomo Award is open for applications

06.10.2025

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Nominations for the 2025 Chytomo Award for outstanding achievements in Ukrainian book publishing and literature, supported by the International Renaissance Foundation and the Frankfurt Book Fair, are now being accepted.

The winners will receive a cash prize of UAH 150,000 (around $3,600) in each category.

The award recognizes outstanding achievements that support the growth of the book market and the industry overall, as well as the promotion of reading, within the calendar year. Nominees may include not only publishers but also book bloggers, journalists, libraries, bookstores, and others whose contributions were especially impactful and noteworthy during the year.

Nominations for the Chytomo Award can be submitted anytime between Oct. 6 and Oct. 31, 2025 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).

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

“We see greater and even more visible results each year. We experience rights sold to English-language markets, participation in international professional events, attention from international professional publications and popular media, and Ukrainian projects submitted to international competitions, and already with the label ‘winner of the Chytomo Award.’ This award was missing. How can we talk about a formed ‘national market’ without our own professional awards?” Oksana Khmeliovska, Chytomo co-founder and editor-in-chief, said.

The first step in determining the winners is the nomination of candidates for the award, which runs from Oct. 6 to Oct. 31, 2025.

Ukrainian and foreign organizations may nominate candidates, including Ukrainian cultural institutions abroad, public associations, law firms, educational institutions, libraries and associations, media outlets, and others. Each organization can submit up to two candidates by filling out an application form.

In the first stage of selection, the organizing committee will compile a list of candidates after reviewing the application forms for compliance with the requirements and priorities of the award. Shortlists for each nomination will be determined by a competent jury, the full composition of which will be announced separately.

The Chytomo Award ceremony, featuring the finalists and jury members, will be held in Kyiv in late January or early February 2026. The results will be made public and published on Chytomo’s website.

This special award of the Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse) (which includes the possibility of participation at that fair in 2026) will be presented as such as part of the Kyiv award ceremony.

Copy editing: Joy Tataryn