This year, the Latvian Literature of the Year Award (LALIGABA) for the best prose work was awarded to Sven Kuzmins for the novel “Skaistums und niemires”, published by “Dienas buktaja”, informs LALIGABA.
In the category “Best poetry author’s work”, Marta Pujāt’s collection “Lady in white jeans”, published by “Neputns”, was recognized as the winner, while the award in the category “Best literary author’s work for children” went to Kārlis Vērdiņš for the collection “Jandāliņš”, published by “Liels un mazs”. .
In the category “Best Prose Translation in Latvian”, Viktar Marcinovič’s novel “Mova” translated by Māra Poliakova, published by “Prometheus”, was recognized as the winner, while in the category “Best Poetry in Latvian” the collection “Surrealism in Estonian Poetry” in poetry by Guntars Godiņš won the laurels. The collection was launched by “Neputns” publishing house.
In the category “The most brilliant work in literary studies”, the monograph “Voices over the Sea” by Ingunas Daukste-Silasproħes, published by “Dienas booka”, was recognized as the winner. Linda Mence won the award in the nomination “Brightest Debut” with the poetry collection “Apļi”, published by “Neputns”.
The lifetime award for significant contribution to Latvian literature was awarded to poet, prose writer and translator Margita Gūtman. The expert commission has decided to award two special awards this year – to the poet and translator “Contram” or Margum Konnulas for translating and popularizing Latvian literature in Estonia, as well as to Ronald Briedis for managing the cultural education program “Literary Academy” for 20 years.
Agency LETA already wrote that this year the organizers of LALIGABA have decided to increase the fund of laureates within the framework of the existing budget, so that every prize winner will receive a 50% higher monetary bonus than before. The debut award has been financially supported by the Jelgava printing house since last year. Also, this year’s laureates will be the first to receive the new design awards. The author of the design is Dāniels Šatalovs, whose work in 2023 won the first place in the competition organized by the Latvian Academy of Arts (LMA) for students of the LMA design program.
The 2023/2024 LALIGABA expert commission includes its chairperson, writer Ieva Melgalve, cultural journalist Undīne Adamaite, poet, comedian and musician Pēteris Draguns, literary scholar and researcher Madara Āriņa, poet and publicist Ligija Purinaš, writer Osvalds Zebris, translator, comedian and publicist Ilmārs Zvirgzds.
LALIGABA is the most important event of the year in the literature industry in Latvia. It ensures professional evaluation of literary works and recognition of the authors for the year’s outstanding works published in Latvian literature. The award is organized by the Lithuanian Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art, the International House of Writers and Translators and the Writers’ Union of Latvia.
