Jerzy Giedroyc Literary Award
The Jerzy Giedroyc Literary Award is Belarus’s largest independent literary prize. It has been awarded annually since 2012 for the best book of prose.
The Award is organised by PEN Belarus and the International Union of Belarusian Writers.
Objectives of the Award:
- to recognise the best prose books written in Belarusian;
- to honour the memory of Jerzy Giedroyc – a publicist, political thinker, and steadfast advocate of good-neighbourly relations between Poland and Belarus, Lithuania, and Ukraine;
- to support contemporary Belarusian writers and promote their work internationally;
- to foster Polish-Belarusian cultural relations and promote contemporary Belarusian literature in Belarus and Poland.
The Award is presented for an original book written in Belarusian in the genres of fiction or literary non-fiction and published for the first time in print, electronic, or audiobook format in the year preceding the current award cycle. There are no restrictions on authors based on age, citizenship, place of residence, or place of publication. Only books by living authors are eligible for nomination.
Over the years, the Award has become an important point of reference for readers, critics, translators, and publishers. Many shortlisted and award-winning books have been translated into European languages and represent some of the most distinctive voices of contemporary Belarus.
Jerzy Giedroyc (1906–2000) was a Polish publicist, political thinker, and editor of the legendary Paris-based journal Kultura. He was among the first intellectuals in post-war Poland to consistently advocate for the right of Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Lithuanians to independence and the development of their national cultures. Jerzy Giedroyc’s work contributed significantly to Polish-Belarusian cultural dialogue and mutual understanding between the two nations.
Follow the latest news about the Award in Belarusian and Polish.
Natalla Arsiennieva Poetry Award
The Natalla Arsiennieva Poetry Award is an annual literary prize for the best book of poetry in the Belarusian language. Established in 2016, it honours one of the most prominent figures in Belarusian poetry.
The Award is organised by PEN Belarus and the International Union of Belarusian Writers.
Objectives of the Award:
- to recognise the best book of poetry written in Belarusian;
- to honour the memory of the outstanding Belarusian poet Natalla Arsiennieva.
The Award is presented for a book of poetry written in Belarusian and published for the first time in print, electronic, or audiobook format in the year preceding the year of nomination. There are no restrictions on authors based on age, citizenship, place of residence, or place of publication. Only books by living authors are eligible for nomination.
Natalla Arsiennieva (Natallia Arsiennieva, 1903–1997) was one of the most prominent Belarusian poets of the 20th century and the author of lyrical, philosophical, and patriotic poetry. Her work played an important role in preserving the Belarusian literary tradition in exile. Natalla Arsiennieva’s poetry remains an outstanding example of poetic artistry and dedication to the Belarusian language.
Follow the latest news about the Award in Belarusian here.
Francišak Bahuševič Literary Award
The Francišak Bahuševič Literary Award is an annual literary prize established in 1996. It is awarded for works that contribute to restoring historical memory and strengthening Belarusian cultural identity.
The Award is organised by PEN Belarus.
Objectives of the Award:
- to recognise outstanding works that contribute to restoring historical memory and to the development and strengthening of Belarusian identity;
- to honour the memory of the prominent public figure and writer Francišak Bahuševič.
The Award may be presented for works published for the first time in text, audio, video, or other formats, including books, media articles, podcasts, films, individual videos, video series, and other works. There are no restrictions on authors based on language, age, citizenship, place of residence, or place of publication. Only works by living authors are eligible for nomination.
Francišak Bahuševič (1840–1900) was a poet, prose writer, publicist, and one of the founders of modern Belarusian literature. In his work, he championed the dignity of the Belarusian people and their right to their native language and their own cultural tradition. His words, “Do not abandon our Belarusian language, lest we die,” became one of the most important mottos of the Belarusian national revival.
Follow the latest news about the Award in Belarusian here.
Aleś Adamovič Literary Award
The Aleś Adamovič Literary Award is an annual literary prize established in 1995 in memory of the writer, thinker, and one of the founders of PEN Belarus.
The Award is organised by PEN Belarus.
Objectives of the Award:
- to recognise outstanding works addressing pressing contemporary issues;
- to honour the memory of the prominent Belarusian writer, publicist, and public figure Aleś Adamovič.
The Award focuses on testimonies, socially significant issues, and human experience in the face of violence, injustice, and historical catastrophes. It recognises works that contribute to a better understanding of contemporary Belarus and the broader Eastern European region.
The Award may be presented for works published for the first time in text, audio, video, or other formats, including books, media articles, podcasts, films, individual videos, video series, and other works. There are no restrictions on authors based on language, age, citizenship, place of residence, or place of publication. Only works by living authors are eligible for nomination.
Aleś Adamovič (1927–1994) was a Belarusian writer, screenwriter, literary scholar, and public figure, and one of the founders of PEN Belarus. His works, based on eyewitness testimonies, opened up new possibilities for documentary literature and for understanding the tragic experiences of the 20th century. Adamovič believed that literature should serve as a moral testimony to its time and help society address painful issues.
Follow the latest news about the Award in Belarusian here.
Michał Aniempadystaŭ Book Cover Award
The Michał Aniempadystaŭ Book Cover Award is an annual award for the best book cover. It was established in 2019 in memory of Michał Aniempadystaŭ.
The Award is organised by PEN Belarus and the Open Culture Foundation.
Objectives of the Award:
- to recognise the best Belarusian book covers;
- to support designers working with Belarusian books;
- to honour the memory of Michał Aniempadystaŭ, an outstanding figure in Belarusian culture.
The Award is presented to an individual designer or a team of designers for the best cover of a Belarusian book published in the year preceding the year of nomination. A book is considered Belarusian if it meets at least two of the following criteria: it was published by a Belarusian publishing house; it was written by a Belarusian author; it was written in Belarusian or translated from Belarusian; its content is related to Belarus or Belarusian culture.
Michał Aniempadystaŭ (1964–2018) was an artist, designer, poet, publicist, and one of the most prominent researchers of Belarusian visual culture. He made a major contribution to the exploration of contemporary Belarusian identity through design, book graphics, music, and art projects. Michał Aniempadystaŭ’s work demonstrated that book design can be not merely an accompaniment to the text, but an artistic language in its own right.
Follow the latest news about the Award in Belarusian here.
Ciotka Award
The Ciotka Award is a literary prize for the best book for children and young adults in the Belarusian language. It was established in 2016.
The Award is organised by PEN Belarus, the Viartańnie Charitable Initiative, and the International Union of Belarusian Writers.
The Award is presented in two categories:
- Best Original Book for Children and Young Adults in Belarusian (awarded to the author of an original Belarusian-language book, regardless of literary genre – prose, poetry, or drama);
- Best Illustration and Design of a Children’s Book (awarded to the book’s illustrator).
Ałaiza Paškievič (Ciotka) (1876–1916) was a poet, writer, educator, and public figure, and one of the key figures of the Belarusian national revival of the early 20th century. She was among the first Belarusian authors to write specifically for children, combining literary work with educational activities. Her name symbolises a commitment to new generations of readers and the development of Belarusian children’s literature.
Follow the latest news about the Award in Belarusian here.
Carlos Sherman Literary Translation Award
The Carlos Sherman Literary Translation Award is an annual literary prize established in 2016 and presented for the best translation of a literary work into Belarusian.
The Award is organised by PEN Belarus, the Viartańnie Charitable Initiative, and the International Union of Belarusian Writers.
Objectives of the Award:
- to recognise the best book translations into Belarusian;
- to support the tradition and development of literary translation in Belarus;
- to honour the memory of the outstanding literary translator Carlos Sherman.
The Award is presented for a literary work translated into Belarusian and published for the first time in print, electronic, or audiobook format in the year preceding the year of nomination. There are no restrictions on translators based on age, citizenship, place of residence, or place of publication.
Carlos Sherman (1934–2005) was a Belarusian translator, writer, and public figure, and one of the founders of PEN Belarus. He translated dozens of works of world literature into Belarusian from Spanish, English, Polish, and other languages, making a significant contribution to Belarusian culture. Through his work, the Belarusian language became a fully-fledged medium for dialogue with the world’s literary heritage.
Follow the latest news about the Award in Belarusian here.
Francišak Alachnovič Literary Award
The Francišak Alachnovič Literary Award is an annual literary prize for works written in prison.
The Award is organised by PEN Belarus and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Objectives of the Award:
- to recognise outstanding works written in prison or addressing the author’s own experience of imprisonment;
- to draw attention to writers and other creative professionals who have been or remain unlawfully imprisoned;
- to honour the memory of the outstanding writer Francišak Alachnovič, who also wrote while in prison.
The Award honours authors of prose, poetry, or non-fiction works created in prison or addressing their own experience of imprisonment and exploring the experience of deprivation of liberty, incarceration, political persecution, or other forms of deprivation of rights and human dignity. Both literary and documentary works, whether published or unpublished, may be nominated for the Award.
The Francišak Alachnovič Literary Award does not include a monetary prize unless otherwise stipulated by the regulations for a particular year. In selecting the winners and laureates, the Award seeks to recognise not only literary excellence but also the resilience and commitment to freedom of thought and expression demonstrated by authors writing under conditions of imprisonment.
Francišak Alachnovič (1883–1944) was a Belarusian playwright, writer, theatre practitioner, and memoirist. In 1926, he was arrested by the Soviet authorities and spent seven years in the Solovki prison camps. After his release, he published the memoir In the Clutches of the GPU, which became one of the earliest literary accounts in Europe of the Soviet prison camp system. Francišak Alachnovič’s work and life story serve as a reminder of the value of freedom, human dignity, and the right to bear witness to one’s own experience.
Follow the latest news about the Award in Belarusian here.
Voice of the Freedom Generation Award
The Voice of the Freedom Generation Award was established in 2025 at the initiative of PEN Belarus to honour the lifetime achievements and human rights work of outstanding Belarusian figures in literature, human rights, and journalism who were forced into exile due to persecution and now live in Poland, Czechia, or Lithuania.
In 2026, the Award is organised by PEN Belarus, the Viasna Human Rights Centre, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, Press Club Belarus, the Free Press for Eastern Europe Foundation, and the Ales Bialiatski Foundation.
The Award is granted at the initiative of its founders as an expression of profound respect and gratitude for the laureates’ contribution to Belarusian culture and society, as well as for their unwavering stance in the face of repression.
Belarusian writers, journalists, and human rights defenders aged 60 and over who have significant professional achievements, were forced to leave Belarus after 2020 due to political persecution, and continue their work in exile are selected by a committee appointed for this purpose. The Award recognises not only their previous achievements but also their civic courage, commitment to their principles, and dedication to democratic values and human rights.
The name Voice of the Freedom Generation Award symbolises solidarity with those who, despite repression, continue to serve as voices of Belarusian culture, independent journalism, and the human rights movement. The Award highlights the importance of personal responsibility, civic courage, and maintaining ties with Belarus while living in forced exile.
Follow the latest news about the Award in Belarusian here.
