Chytomo Award unveils jury, application deadline approaching

The organizing committee of the Chytomo Award, launching this year to recognize outstanding achievements in the Ukrainian book publishing and literary sphere, has announced the members of the jury that will evaluate the candidates.

The jury, announced on Sept. 13, will be chaired by Chytomo co-founder Oksana Khmelivska and includes seven experts in the field of book publishing and literature, representing both Ukrainian and international institutions.

The jury members include:

• Uilleam Blacker (Great Britain), a Slavic scholar at University College London, a translator of Ukrainian literature and a member of the jury for the International Booker Prize 2023.
• Gvantsa Jobava (Georgia), vice president of the International Publishers Association.
• Yulia Kozlovets (Ukraine), director of the “Book Arsenal” International Festival.
• Vladka Kupska (Germany-Czech Republic), chief manager of the Frankfurt Book Fair for work with the markets of Central and Eastern Europe.
• Tetyana Teren (Ukraine), journalist and executive director of Ukrainian PEN.
• Oksana Khmeliovska (Ukraine), co-founder of Chytomo.
• Volodymyr Sheiko (Ukraine), general director of the Ukrainian Institute.

As a reminder, the deadline for applications is Sept. 15 (the application form). The prize includes a monetary award of 4,000 euros for each of the three categories: “Trendsetter of the Publishing Market,” “Initiative That Contributes to the Promotion of Reading,” and “Ukrainian Book Ambassador.”

The selection process for Chytomo Award winners is divided into three 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 this website.

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