The Ministry of Culture announces the Shortlists for the 2025 State Literary Awards (for publications in 2024), in accordance with the legislation governing the State Literary Awards (Law 3905/2010 – Article 40).

These are the shortlists agreed upon by the three relevant committees: a) the State Literary Awards Committee, b) the State Children’s Book Awards Committee, and c) the State Literary Translation Awards Committee.

Shortlist for the 2025 State Prize for Fiction

  1. Minos Efstathiadis, I am writing to you from the belly of the beast, published by Metaixmio
  2. Dimitris Karakitsos, This winter, published by Antipodes
  3. Ioanna Karistiani, Corniced, published by Kastaniotis
  4. Demosthenes Kourtovik, The Sound of Her Silence, published by Estia Bookstore
  5. Sophia Nikolaidou, Our Children, published by Metaixmio
  6. Foivos Oikonomidis, Yakarantes, published by Estia Bookstore
  7. Agis Petalas, Kymili or the Island of Possibilities, published by Estia Bookstore
  8. Vasiliki Petsa, I Won’t Be Late, published by Polis
  9. Eleni Priovolou, Deep is the Darkness Before Dawn, published by Kastaniotis

Shortlist for the 2025 State Prize for Short Stories – Novellas

    1. Achilles III, Anyway, published by Ikaros
    2. Eleanna Vlachou, Natalia St., ed. To Rodakio
    3. Atalanti Evripidou, Those Who Did Not Leave, ed. Polis
    4. Achilleas Kyriakidis, The Candle of Cartesius and Other Short Stories, published by Patakis.
    5. Nikos Lygouris, Seven Stories of Spring, published by Agra
    6. Maria Mamaliga, Mercanto, published by Estia Bookstore.
    7. Elena Maroutsou, Domino. The Art of Chain Reactions, published by Kichli.
    8. Nikitas Siniosoglou, Quarantine for infected animals, published by Kichli.
    9. Giorgos Skambardonis, Faltsa kefalas (Head Fault), published by Patakis.

Shortlist for the 2025 State Poetry Prize

  1. Zefy Darakis, Accordion, published by Ypsilon / Books
  2. Lenia Zafeiropoulou, Half Nature. The manuscripts from the house on the hill, published by Polis
  3. Kostas Kanavouris, The Children of Zambriski Point. A Small Anthology of Problems, published by Polis
  4. Dionysis Kapsalis, Like the Vine Growers, published by Agra
  5. Eleni Kefala, Direct Orient, published by Perispomeni
  6. Theoni Kotini, With the Body, published by Enupnio
  7. Panos Kyparissis, Tattoo, published by Enupnio
  8. Dimitra Kotoula, Lamia, published by Patakis

Shortlist for the 2025 State Prize for Essays and Criticism

  1. Dimitris Angelatos, “Hands and voices were frozen in the air. Literature and sculpture. An interdisciplinary and interartistic interpretative approach to modern Greek poetry in the postwar years,” published by Gutenberg
  2. Anna Karakatsouli, “The sword of the spirit.” Books, cultural hegemony, and the far right in Greece after 1974, published by Gutenberg
  3. Vasileios Karakostas, Philosophy of Physics. Space and time, quantum theory and reality, published by Gutenberg
  4. Dionysis Kapsalis, Elegy and epitaph. Transformations of mourning, published by Agra
  5. Lykourgos Kourkouvelas, Franz Kafka. Politics and Culture in the Postwar Era, published by Pedio
  6. Yannis Papatheodorou, Unwritten Stories about the Ungoverned States of Stratis Tsirkas, published by Agra
  7. Dimitris Tziovas, History, Nation, and Fiction in the Metapolitefsi: Trauma, Memory, and Metaphor, University of Crete Press
  8. Stefanos Trachanas, The Cycle. Science and Democracy in Troubled Times, University of Crete Press
  9. Dimitris K. Psychogios, Politics in the Life and Work of Andreas Karkavitsas, Epikentro

Shortlist for the State Prize for Testimony – Biography – Chronicle – Travel Literature 2025

  1. Dimitris Angelis, Sketches of Roads and Starry Nights. Selection from the Diaries [Notes II Dreams II Lyrics], ed. Polis
  2. Christina Agriantoni, Ermoupoli, Syros, 1823-1940. Volume A: An Early Industrial City in the Aegean, Volume B: Industries and Industrialists, ed. National Research Foundation / Institute of Historical Research
  3. Andreas Assael, In the Death Camps. A journey through the forced Nazi labor camps of Christians and Jews in Greece with 350 unpublished photographs, ed. University Studio Press
  4. Kostis Karpozilos, Greek Communism. An International History (1912-1974), published by Antipodes
  5. Konstantinos Kapsaskis, The British Secret Services in Greece, 1940-1947, published by Alexandria
  6. Christos Notaridis, The Telegraphers of Asia Minor. The Military Telegraph Service in the Asia Minor Campaign, published by Epikentro
  7. Sophia Tatidou, Women’s Suicides in Greece at the Dawn of the 20th Century. A timeless demand for emancipation, published by Estia Bookstore
  8. Lydia Tricha, Alexandros Mavrokordatos. The inspiration behind the constitutional state, published by Patakis

Shortlist for the 2025 State Prize for Emerging Authors

  1. Marina Papoula, Mother of Ours, published by Vakchikon
  2. Evi Sebou, Heteroclita, published by Gutenberg
  3. Thodoris Tsomidis, Birth.A story in three seasons, published by Patakis

The composition of the nine-member Committee responsible for the annual Literary Awards, the Grand Prize for Literature, the Emerging talent award, the Special Thematic Award, and the Essay-Testimony Awards, is as follows (Government Gazette 867/ΥΟΔΔ/17.07.2025):

  1. Euripides Garantoudis, Professor of Modern Greek Literature at the Department of Literature of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (member of the teaching staff of a relevant academic discipline), President.
  2. Ilias Kafaoglou, Critic-Writer, Vice-Chair.
  3. Vasiliki Dimoula, Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature at the Department of Philology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (member of the teaching staff of a relevant academic discipline), Member.
  4. Vasileios Letsios, Associate Professor of Modern Greek Philology and Literary Translation from Foreign Languages into Modern Greek at the Department of Foreign Languages, Translation and Interpreting at the Ionian University (member of the teaching staff of a relevant academic discipline), Member.
  5. Dimitrios Varvarigos, Critic – Writer, Member.
  6. Konstantina (Dina) Sarakinou, Critic, Member.
  7. Ilias Papamoschos, Writer, Member.
  8. Ismini Karyotaki, Writer, Member.
  9. Anna Griva, Writer, Member.

B) Shortlists for the 2025 State Children’s Book Awards (Children’s Literary Book Award, Illustrated Children’s Book Award, Teenage-Youth Literary Book Award, and Children’s Knowledge Book Award) are as follows:

Shortlist for the 2025 State Prize for Children’s Literature

  1. Kyriakos Athanasiadis (text), Natalia Kapatsoulia (illustrations), The Strange Adam and the Moon, published by Psychogios
  2. Ioannis Geraris-Kartelias (text), Vasilis Koutsogiannis (illustrations), Is My Dog a Robot?, published by Psychogios
  3. Lilia Kyritsi-Katerina Papastergiou (text), Christina Panopoulou (illustrations), Moon on Paper, Haiku for Children, published by AO
  4. Christina Frageskaki (text), Petros Bouloubassis (illustrations), His Bicycle, published by Kaleidoscope
  5. Petros Christoulias, The Enchanted, published by Ikaros

Shortlist for the 2025 State Award for Illustrated Children’s Books

  1. Despoina Heracleous (text), Fotini Stefanidi (illustrations), My Home, published by Kaleidoscope
  2. Areti Katsantoni (text), Chrysoula Charalambous (illustrations), The Moon in Paris, published by Fourfouris
  3. Angeliki Bozou, What Are They Looking At?, published by Mikri Selini
  4. Sophia Panidou (text), Kostas Markopoulos (illustrations), I See the World as I Am, published by Papadopoulos
  5. Thodoris Papaioannou (text), Petros Bouloubassis (illustrations), Happiness, published by Ikaros
  6. Tasoula Tsiliemeni (text), Chara Marantidou (illustrations), A Tree Grows Everywhere, published by Kaleidoscope
  7. Kyriakos Charitos (text), Vasilis Koutsogiannis (illustrations), The Silk, published by Metaixmio
  8. Nanti Hatzigeorgiou, I’m Building a Tower, Synadelfoi Publications
  9. Maria Chrysikou (text), Zafouko Yamamoto (illustrations), The Journey of Wild Oregano, Patakis Publications

Shortlist for the 2025 State Prize for Teenage and Young Adult Literature

  1. Andri Antoniou (text), Rania Makrygianni (illustrations), On the Way Home, published by Psychogios
  2. Anna Koupanou, When the Sea Left Us, published by Patakis
  3. George K. Panagiotakis, Amphibians, published by Patakis
  4. Vera Pratikaki, Unfolding the Stars, published by Psychogios
  5. Maria Skamaga, The Polygraph or the Summer of Heroes, published by Metaixmio
  6. Anastasia Stamatopoulou (text), Vasilis Koutsogiannis (illustrations), Cracks, published by Kastaniotis

Shortlist for the 2025 State Prize for Children’s Knowledge Books

  1. Santi Antoniou (text), Elena Tsigaridou (illustrations), How big is our world? The life, work, and world of Adamantios Diamantis, published by Kaleidoscope.
  2. Kalypso Goula – Melina Iliopoulou (text), Filippos Fotiadis (illustrations), A Fantastic Walk in Thessaloniki, published by Kalentis
  3. Nikos Mathioudakis – Manos Bonanos (text), Angeliki Bozou (illustrations), My Name is… Kiki Dimoula, published by Ikaros
  4. Christos Boulotis (text), Fotini Stefanidi (illustrations), The Last Centaur of Pelion, published by P.I.O.P.
  5. Mariza Dekastro (text), Achilleas Razis (illustrations), 2194 Days of War, published by Metaixmio
  6. Evi Pini (text), Lela Stroutsis (illustrations), The Lady of Eleusis and Other Stories, published by Patakis
  7. Alexandra Seleli (text), Petroula Krigou (illustrations), Stories About Seven-Soul Trash, published by Kalentis

***

The composition of the competent nine-member State Children’s Book Awards Committee (Government Gazette 867/YODD/17.07.2025), Government Gazette 1651/YODD/19.12.2025 is as follows:

  1. Georgia (Gina) Kalogirou, Professor of Modern Greek Literature and Teaching at the Department of Primary Education of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Member of the Teaching Staff of the Department of Primary Education), Chair.
  2. Nikoleta Tsitsanoudi, Professor of Linguistics and Greek Language at the Department of Early Childhood Education of the University of Ioannina (Member of the Teaching Staff of the Department of Early Childhood Education and Primary Education), Vice-Chair
  3. Vasiliki Oikonomopoulou, Assistant Professor specializing in Modern Greek Literature, Children’s and Young Adult Literature, and Teaching Applications at the Department of Primary Education of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Member of the Academic Staff of the relevant field of study)
  4. Maria (Mary) Birbili, Critic, Member
  5. Chrysoula (Sissy) Tsiflidou, Children’s Literature Critic, Educator, Member
  6. Frantzeska Alexopoulou, Writer, Member
  7. Agathi Dimitrouka, Writer, Member
  8. Daniela Stamatiadi, Illustrator, Member
  9. Zaharenia (Renia) Metallinou, Illustrator, Member

C) Shortlists for the 2025 State Literary Translation Awards (State Award for the Translation of Foreign Literature into Greek, State Award for the Translation of Ancient Greek Literature into Modern Greek, and State Award for the Translation of Greek Literature into a Foreign Language) are as follows (titles are listed in alphabetical order):

Shortlist for the State Prize for Translation of Foreign Literature into Greek 2025

  • Robert Musil, Three Women, translated by Marina Agathangelidou, published by Antipodes
  • Cecil Coulon, A Beast in Paradise, translated by Titika Dimitroulia, published by Gutenberg
  • Italo Calvino, The Road to San Giovanni, translated by Dimitra Dotsi, published by Kastaniotis
  • Denis Diderot, Rameau’s Nephew, translated by Giorgos Karabelas, published by Antipodes
  • Louise Labé, The Love Sonnets, translated by Xanthos Mainas, published by Nikas
  • Njai Amadou Amal, The Disobedient, translated by Angelos Moutafidis, published by Thines
  • Gurum Dotsanasvili, The Man Who Loved Literature Very Much, translated by Dimitris Tsekouras, published by Loggia

Shortlist for the State Award for the Translation of Ancient Greek Literature into Modern Greek 2025

  • Aristotle, Poetics, translated by Ioanna Giatromanolakis, published by Kardamitsa
  • Plato, Politikos, translated by Stefanos Dimitriou, published by National Bank Cultural Foundation
  • Anity, the Tegeatian, The Poems, translated by Tasoula Karageorgiou, published by Nikas
  • Lukianos, Plutarch, Theophrastus, Signs and Monsters, Superstition and its critics in ancient Greece, translated by Vaios Liapis, University of Crete Press
  • Euripides, Medea, Hippolytus, Trojan Women, translated by Dimitra H. Christodoulou, published by Patakis

Shortlist for the State Prize for Translation of Greek Literature into a Foreign Language 2025

  • C.P.Cavafy, Poesia completa (vol Ι & ΙΙ), translated by Eusebi Ayensa,. Flâneur ed.
  • Rea Galanaki, Deux femmes, deux déesses, translated by René Bouchet,. Cambourakis ed.
  • Kallia Papadaki, Dendriti, translated by Karen Emmerich, World Editions ed.
  • Dimosthenis Papamarkos, Gkiak, translated by Valentina Gilardi,. Crocetti ed.
  • Odysseas Elytis, Aksion Esti, translated by Nico Kacalidha, Onufri ed.
  • Μ. Karagatsis, Serge et Bacchus (vol Ι & ΙΙ), translated by Gérard Balland & Dimitra Markovitsi, L’ Harmattan ed.
  • Antonis Samarakis, Sökes:Hopp, translated by Jens Matthiessen & Athanasia Tsiligkiri, Ekström & Garay ed.
  • Iakovos Kampanellis,I avli ton thavmaton, translated by Khaled Raouf,  Jusur Publishing

***

The composition of the competent nine-member State Literary Translation Awards Committee (Government Gazette 867/ΥΟΔΔ/17.07.2025) is as follows:

  1. Ioannis Dim. Tsolkas, Professor of History of Italian Literature and European Culture at the Department of Italian Language and Literature of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, (Member of the Academic Staff of Higher Education Institutions in the field of Greek history, society, or politics), President
  2. Rubini Dimopoulou, Assistant Professor of Medieval and Renaissance Latin Literature in the Department of Classical Philology of the Faculty of Philology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Member of the teaching staff of a university in a field related to philology), Vice-Chair
  3. Kalliopi Ploumistaki, Assistant Professor of Greek-French Comparative Literature and Translation in the Department of French Language and Literature of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Member of the Academic Staff of a Higher Education Institution in a field related to translation), Member
  4. Vasileios Sabatakakis, Associate Professor of Modern Greek Studies at Lund University (Sweden), President of the European Society of Modern Greek Studies, Modern Greek scholar, Member
  5. Vasileios Vassiliadis, Assistant Professor of Modern Greek Literature at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Modern Greek scholar, Member
  6. Anna Afentoulidou, Critic, Member
  7. Thanasis Vasileiou, Critic, Member
  8. Ioanna-Anna Meitani, Translator, Memebr
  9. Laura Salas Rodríguez, Translator, Membere

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