The award of Lviv – UNESCO City of Literature was updated to the conditions of the war. In addition to the traditional winner, this year the best essay, which will be the author’s reflection on the topic of war, will be chosen additionally. And this year’s prize will be financed by the Estonian city of Tartu. The decision on the relevant changes was made today at a meeting of the executive committee of the Lviv City Council.
The Lviv – UNESCO Cities of Literature Award is the largest literary award awarded by the city authorities in Ukraine. The award was established to honor and give public resonance to works of modern literature that articulate the values and duties of active humanity, embody responsible freedom of speech and self-expression, support intercultural communication and build bridges of understanding in the civilized world, deepen global knowledge and understanding of Ukraine.
The winner of the Lviv – UNESCO City of Literature Award will traditionally receive 150,000 hryvnias. In addition, the winner of a new nomination related to the theme of war will receive 100,000 hryvnias. The announcement of the winners of the competition in 2023 is scheduled for May.
“We will give this award for the fifth time. Considering the war, we foresee another nomination for a work that can be published on web resources or social networks and is a reflection on the theme of war.
Also, in the previous 4 years, the award was always financed from the city budget, but this year’s award will be fully financed from the funds of Lviv’s partner city, Tartu (Estonia). They have already provided 20,000 euros for this,” said Natalia Bunda, head of the Lviv Development Department.