Visegrad Literary Award

The Visegrad Literary Award is a new initiative launched by the International Visegrad Fund and the Villa Decius Association, implemented in cooperation with:

• Czech Institute of Culture in Prague
• Slovak Literary Centre in Bratislava
• Petőfi Literary Museum in Budapest

The award was established on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the International Visegrad Fund and Poland’s presidency of the V4 Group. Its aim is not only to recognize outstanding books, but also to strengthen literary dialogue among the countries of the region and promote Central European literature internationally.

Award recipients are selected from among participants of the Visegrad Literary Residencies programme, recognizing books developed during the residencies. Four authors representing the four countries of the region receive the award. Each laureate receives a gross prize of €3,000 and an additional €3,000 grant for literary translation into English or German.

The selection process takes place in two stages. First, each of the four national juries conducts a preliminary selection. Each national jury consists of one representative of the partner institution and at least three literary experts. Following the national preselection, the Main Jury convenes: a body of at least five members composed of a representative of the International Visegrad Fund and four representatives of the national partner institutions.

The award continues the idea embodied in the Visegrad Literary Residencies programme, which since 2012 has supported writers and literary translators working across the V4 countries.

“The goal of the Visegrad Literary Award is to enable authors from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland to bring their books beyond the borders of their own countries. The award reflects my deep belief in the power of words and literary heritage to build partnerships and strengthen mutual understanding. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the International Visegrad Fund, I am proud to support authors and help their work overcome language barriers through translation. I congratulate the laureates and believe their books will reach an even wider readership.”
— Linda Kapustová Helbichová, Executive Director, International Visegrad Fund

For years, the Villa Decius Association has consistently supported international literary cooperation through residency programmes, events, and networks connecting writers across borders. The new award is a natural extension of this mission.

“Supporting writers and building bridges between the literary communities of Central Europe is not only part of our daily work but also a deeply rooted mission of Villa Decius. Literature has the power to bring people together, broaden horizons, and strengthen international dialogue. The Visegrad Literary Award, which I proposed in 2024, reflects this conviction and marks another step in promoting our region internationally. I want books bearing the Visegrad Literary Award label to become a mark of linguistic excellence and originality for English- and German-speaking readers — offering not only enjoyment, but also a deeper understanding of our part of Europe.”
— Dominika Kasprowicz, Director of Villa Decius in Kraków

Next step: bringing V4 literature to the world

The award has a tangible impact on promoting literature from the region: it provides both financial support and opportunities to reach new audiences through translation into major international languages. As a result, Central European literature becomes more visible at festivals, in bookstores, and across international media.

The first edition of the Visegrad Literary Award is an important milestone not only for the laureates, but also for the broader literary community of the region. The award strengthens cooperation, promotes diversity, and confirms that Central European literature has strong global potential.

This is only the beginning of a new chapter in the shared literary history of the V4.

International Visegrad Fund, MNMKK – Petőfi Irodalmi Múzeum, Slovenské literárne centrum, Národní institut pro kulturu