By Erin L. Cox, Publisher | @erinlcox
Today, The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) announced the shortlist for the EUPL 2026 edition. The EUPL honors emerging fiction writers from the European Union and seeks to promote the expansion of literature beyond borders.The EUPL is a partnership between the Federation of European Publishers (FEP) and the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), with support from the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. The authors and their novels were nominated by national organizations in their home countries which are knowledgeable about the literary scene in those countries and familiar with promoting their own literature abroad.
“Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors of the 2026 European Union Prize for literature. Your incredible achievements remind us that literature is a powerful bridge connecting cultures, languages, histories, and generations across our continent and beyond. Books open windows to new worlds while reflecting who we are, serving as catalyst for dialogue and change, fostering empathy, dialogue and understanding across borders,” said Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport.
“Your stories offer a unique perspective, enriching our collective understanding of the complexities and diversity of what it means to be European. As reaffirmed by the Culture Compass and through the Creative Europe program, the Commission is committed to supporting the literary sector and to ensuring that voices like yours, promoting understanding and celebrating diversity, continue to inspire, challenge, and unite readers.”
The shortlist (country, author, title in original language, title in English in parentheses):
- Armenia: Sargis Hovsepyan, Սարգիս Հովսեփյան – Դու էսօր մեռի, ես՝ վաղը (You Die Today, I Die Tomorrow)
- Croatia: Lora Tomaš, Papir tvoje kože (Paper of Your Skin)
- Czechia: Dora Kaprálová, Mariborská hypnóza (The Maribor Hypnosis)
- Cyprus: Evridiki Pericleous-Papadopoulou, καὶ πολλὰ ἐπικράνθη – Η Ελένη της Καρπασίας (Sorely Grieved: Helen of Karpasia)
- Estonia: Lilli Luuk, Ööema (Night Mother)
- Finland: Susanna Hast, Toivottomuus (Despair)
- France: Hélène Frédérick, Lézardes (Rivers of White)
- Kosovo: Arben Idrizi, Njeriu që habitej dhe tregime të tjera (The Man Who Wondered and Other Stories)
- Liechtenstein: Mathias Ospelt, Ebaholz (Ebony)
- Luxembourg: Elise Schmit, Allgemeine Zweifel am weiteren Verlauf (General doubts about the future course of events)
- Moldova: Paula Erizanu, Aicea-i și raiul, și iadul. Republica Moldova: un veac de istorie trăită (Here Is Both Heaven and Hell. Republic of Moldova: A Century of Lived History)
- Montenegro: Vladimir Vujović, Slobodni udarci (Free Kicks)
- North Macedonia: Ivan Shopov, Zentrifuga (Centrifuge)
- Sweden: Frans Wachtmeister, Förlorad mark (Lost Ground)
The 2026 EUPL Prize laureate and the two special mentions will be announced on May 29 at the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, during the city’s annual book fair. All shortlisted authors will continue to be promoted throughout Europe, aiming to reach a wider international audience, as well as connect with readers beyond the physical and language borders.
“Discovering Europe through its authors, this is what EUPL offers to publishing professionals who are looking to bring new voices to their audiences. After what I can only imagine a difficult choice by national juries, we now have a shortlist of 14 emerging authors to be discovered,” says Sonia Draga, President of FEP.