Four countries, four outstanding books, and one shared vision: strengthening the literature of Central Europe. The laureates of the first-ever Visegrad Literary Award have now been announced – a new initiative of the International Visegrad Fund and the Villa Decius Association, designed to promote authors linked to the Visegrad Literary Residency Programme. This marks a milestone moment for regional literary cooperation.
The inaugural edition of the Visegrad Literary Award has already secured its place in the cultural collaboration of the V4 countries. From 81 submitted books, the Jury selected 12 nominations and ultimately chose four winning titles – one each from the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary. These works uniquely capture the spirit of Central Europe: its diversity, plurality of voices, and deep sensitivity to social issues.
Laureates of the Visegrad Literary Award 2025
Czech Republic
Alena Machoninová, Hella (Maraton, 2023)
Alena Machoninová´s debut Hella (2023) can be read as an atlas of memory, a poetic travelogue, or a melancholic reconstruction of the elusive life of a woman whom most people know only as a literary character. This reconstruction intertwines with references to other works of fiction and essays that relate to traumatic narratives, the archiving of memory, experiences of terror and violence, or texts that have simply moved the author for one reason or another (Platonov, Shalamov, Stepanova, Benjamin, Sontag). Machoninová deliberately merges literary memory with personal memory – Weil’s, Platonov’s, or Hella’s Moscow is also her Moscow. The refined language and precise formulations, infused with poetic ease yet grounded in thorough research, represent a unique authorial gesture in contemporary Czech prose.
Poland
Paweł Pieniążek, Wojna w moim domu (Znak Literanova, 2025)
Here is what Monika Ochędowska, a member of the Visegrad Literary Award Jury, wrote about the book:
Paweł Pieniążek writes about a war unfolding in three different countries with sensitivity and courage. Thanks to his precise language and deep respect for human experience, he is able both to convey the truth of his protagonists and to reach his readers. He accompanies them, and he accompanies us. He guides us and encourages us to look at ourselves and others with greater tenderness. This book is an exceptionally important voice in the discussion about relationships, responsibility, and hope.
Slovakia
Ivana Gibová, Babička (Vlna, 2023)
Ivana Gibová’s novel Babička© (Grandma©) is currently the most awarded prose in Slovakia. It has been recognized by major literary awards, academic literary criticism, but also by many readers who are otherwise not very interested in artistic prose. It is for demanding readers who are looking for depth of thought and stylistic originality in literature, but also for those who just want to emotionally identify with a strong story.
It takes place somewhere in a small-town housing estate in eastern Slovakia in a seemingly ordinary local family. It is a delicate drawing of intimate interpersonal relationships, but at the same time a brutally honest, even shocking, revelation of the terrifying undercurrents hidden beneath small-town family existence – from alcoholism, emotional manipulation to sexual abuse.
The captivating dynamics of the narrative, which perfectly imitates the spontaneous speech of an adolescent girl, is in fact still guided by a well-thought-out authorial strategy. This is also why Gibová’s prose from the (Eastern) Slovak periphery is universally understandable. It is admittedly local, but also confidently global.
Hungary
Milbacher Róbert, Keserű Víz (Magvető Kiadó, 2023)
Robert Milbacher’s (1971) novel, titled “Keserű Víz,” is the chronicle of a Slavonian Swabian-Hungarian settler village that has since vanished without a trace. It is also the arduous life story of the narrator’s grandmother, who was born there. While we follow the fate of the village from its foundation in the 19th century to its depopulation in the 20th, we accompany the woman back in time—from her deathbed to the magical world of her childhood. The story of the woman, the family, and the Central-Eastern European village is, at the same time, the history of old multi-ethnic Hungary. Through the exploration of written documents and oral family memory, we gain insight into contemporary research work that turns toward the past. The novel is characterized by its multifaceted narration and complex plot development. its critical and reader success is also thanks to its original structural solutions and masterful linguistic craftsmanship.
A New Literary Initiative Bringing New Opportunities for the Region
The Visegrad Literary Award is a new project of the International Visegrad Fund and the Villa Decius Association, developed in cooperation with:
- the Czech Centre for Culture in Prague,
- the Slovak Literature Centre in Bratislava,
- the Petőfi Literary Museum in Budapest.
Established on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the International Visegrad Fund, the Award aims not only to honour outstanding books but also to strengthen literary dialogue across the region and promote the literature of Central Europe worldwide.
This initiative continues the mission of the Visegrad Literary Residency Programme, which since 2012 has supported authors and translators working in the V4 countries.
“The aim of the Visegrad Literary Award is to enable authors from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland to bring their books beyond the borders.
The Award reflects my conviction in the power of words and literary heritage to build partnerships and foster mutual self-awareness. To mark the International Visegrad Fund’s 25th anniversary, I am proud to support authors and help their works overcome language barriers through translation. I congratulate the laureates and believe that their books will reach an even wider audience.” — Linda Kapustová Helbichová, Executive Director, Visegrad Fund
Why This Award Matters for the Villa Decius Association
For years, the Villa Decius Association has been committed to supporting international literary collaboration. Through residencies, events, and long-term networks, the organisation fosters exchange between writers, translators, and cultural institutions. The Visegrad Literary Award is a natural extension of this mission.
“Supporting authors and building bridges between Central European literary communities is not just part of our work – it is a deeply rooted mission of Villa Decius. We believe that literature has the power to bring people closer, open new perspectives, and strengthen mutual understanding. The Visegrad Literary Award embodies this belief and marks an important step forward in promoting our region on the global cultural map.” — prof. Dominika Kasprowicz, Director of Villa Decius
The Next Step: Global Visibility for V4 Literature
The Award offers substantial opportunities for the international promotion of regional literature: financial support, translation funding, and increased visibility among publishers, festivals, and cultural platforms. As a result, Central European writing is gaining a stronger presence in global literary conversations.
The first edition of the Visegrad Literary Award is not only a celebration for the laureates but also a significant development for the entire literary community of the region. It strengthens cultural cooperation, highlights diversity, and confirms the global potential of Central European literature.
This is just the beginning of a new chapter in the shared literary heritage of the V4 countries.
International Visegrad Fund, MNMKK – Petőfi Irodalmi Múzeum, Slovenské literárne centrum, Národní institut pro kulturu
