The Ministry of Culture announces the shortlists of the 2024 State Literary Awards (for the 2023 editions), in application of the legislation governing the institution of the State Literary Awards (Law 3905/2010 -Article 40).

These are the shortlists arrived at by the three competent Committees: a) the State Literature Prize Committee, b) the State Children’s Book Prize Committee, and c) the State Literary Translation Prize Committee.

The shortlists are accompanied by a reasoned report of each Committee, which examines the trends in literary production, assesses the level of literary works of the period under review (publishing year 2023) and states the reasoned opinion of each Committee as a whole and of each of its members individually.

Α) The Short Lists of titles nominated for the 2024 National Literature Awards (Novel Prize, Short Story-Novel Prize and Poetry Prize), for the 2024 State Essay-Testimony Prizes (Essay-Criticism Prize and Testimony-Biography-Chronicle-Travel Literature Prize), as well as for the 2024 State Prize for the Young Writer, are as follows:

Shortlist for the State Novel Prize 2024

1. Fotis Dousos, Telesis, Nisos Publications
2. Vasiliki Iliopoulou, The Innocent, Polis Publications

3. Michael Malandrakis, Turn the music up, please, Polis Publications
4. Ioanna Bourazopoulou, The Dragon of Prespa III – The Memory of Ice, Kastaniotis Publications
5. Yannis Nikoloudis, Empty Place, Patakis Publications
6. Elias L. Papamoschos, Ascension, Patakis Publications
7. Giorgos Simbardis, Klathmonos Square, Metaixmio Publications
8. Dimitris Christopoulos, Come and  play!, To Rodakio publications

Short List for the State Prize for Short Story – Novel 2024

1. Iakovos Anifantakis, Radiocassetophone, Patakis Publications
2. Loukia Dervi, I hear voices, Metaixmio Publications
3. Olga Kozakou-Tsiara, The Foreigners, Perispomeni Publications
4. Elsa Korneti, Rooms with teeth and other sharp stories, Melani Publications
5. Dimitris Nollas, The undead. A true story that became real, Ikaros Publications
6. Akis Papantonis, The last bear of the forest, Kichli Publications
7. Antonis Paschos, The Siblings’ Dowry and other stories, Stereoma Publications

Shortlist for the State Poetry Prize 2024

1. Maria Vachlioti, Ballot Box, Melani Publications
2. George Vais, Settlement, Ypsilon Publications/Books
3. Krystalli Glyniadaki, Days of Kindness, Polis Publications
4. Anna Griva, The Lost Goddess, Melani Publications
5. Dimitris Kosmopoulos, Nation highly, Perispomeni Publications
6. Maria Koursi, Funeral Air, Ekdotiki Athinon
7. Kostas Lantavos, The Greatest Miracle, Thraka Publications
8. Alexandros Milias, The Cry of Arms, Patakis Publications

Short List for the State Prize for Essay – Criticism 2024

1. Elpida K. Vogli, The fields of history in its past and present, Pedion Publications
2. Angela Kastrinaki, Speak, Penelope! Literary transformations of the mythical heroine in Greece and the Western world from the 19th century to the present day, Crete University Press
3. George Chr. Kythraiotis, The Open World of Dostoevsky, Armos Publications
4. Michael Tsianikas, Cavafy. The last tango in Alexandria, Vibliorama Publications
5. Menelaos Charalambides, The Collaborationists. Armed, political and economic cooperation during the years of Occupation, Alexandria Publications
6. Miltiadis V. Hatzopoulos, On the beginnings of modern European poetry in Romania and Franconia (epic, lyric poetry, fiction in the 3rd-14th centuries), National Hellenic Research Foundation – Institute of Historical Research
7. Michalis Chrysanthopoulos, The ambiguous laughter in the collection “The Bidet and other stories” by Marios Hakkas. Melancholy and subversion, Agra Publications
8. Myrtia Hellner, History of archaeological photography in Greece, OTAN Publications

Shortlist for the State Prize for Testimony – Biography – Chronicle – Travel Literature 2024

1. Aspasia Gioka, Seferis in America, Nikas Publications
2. Katerina Daskalaki, Kostas Axelos, the nostalgia of the future, Hestia Bookshop Publications
3. Eleftheria Kollias, In the years of Christos Lambrakis. Testimonies and narratives about the Lambrakis Journalistic Organization, 1957-2017, Patakis Publications
4. Stathis Livatinos, Three seasons. Autobiographical notes of a theatre director, Patakis Publications
5. Rika Benveniste, Navigators. Family and other stories in the history of the post-war world, Polis Publications
6. Nikos Hadjinicolaou (Introduction, Scientific Editing), Valias Semertzidis, Diary (1929-1939), National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation
7. Dimitris C. Yfantis, Makronissos. When “madness” acquired a local definition. Psychopathological manifestations of reaction, and horrors of displaced persons in Makronissos, Agra Publications
8. Achilleas Hekimoglou, Atomic Era. Nuclear energy, reactors and uranium in 20th century Greece, Papadopoulos Publications

Shortlist for the State Prize for Young Author 2024

1. Dimitris Argyriou, Petrography, Vakhikon Publications
2. Josephine, The Wild Hour, Ano Teleia Publications
3. Athanasia Kakaranza, Space Orientation Encyclopedia, Thraka Publications
4. Ilia Bura, Temperate Zone, Kastaniotis Publications
5. Stavroula Papadaki, And what will the world say?, Kapa Editions
6. Vicky Filippidou, The Black Egg, AΩ Publications
7. Ioanna Chronopoulou, Too Close, Smili Publications

The composition of the nine-member Committee, responsible for the annual Literature Awards, the Grand Prize for Literature, the Young Author Award, the Special Thematic Award and the Essay-Testimony Awards, is as follows (Government Gazette 447/YODD/12.5.2023):

1. Evripidis Garantoudis, Professor of Modern Greek Philology at the Department of Philology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Member of the Board of Directors of the University of Athens), Chairperson
2. Andreas Mitsou, Author, Vice President
3. Lito Ioakeimidou, Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature at the Department of Philology (Department of Modern Greek Literature) of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Member of the Board of Directors of the University of Athens), Member
4. Eleni Koutrianou, Professor of Modern Greek Literature: Theory of Literature – Comparative Literature at the Department of Philology of the University of Peloponnese (Member of the Board of Directors of the University of Peloponnese), Member
5. Kalliopi (Popi) Aroniada, Writer, Member
6. Ilias Kafaoglou, Writer, Member
7. Georgios Rouskas, Critic, Member
8. Konstantina (Ntina) Sarakinou, Critic, Member
9. Stavros Staboglis, Critic, Member

B) The Short Lists of titles for the National Children’s Book Awards 2024 (Children’s Literary Book Award, Teenage/Young Adult Literary Book Award, Children’s Picture Book Award and Children’s Knowledge Book Award) are as follows:

Shortlist for the State Prize for Children’s Literature 2024

1. Sophia Dartzali text, Vassilis Koutsogiannis illustration: Where did they all go, Metaixmio Publications
2. Manos Kontoleon text, Fotini Stefanidi illustration: Under the same name, Kaleidoscopio Publications
3. Eleni Svoronou text, Vassilis Koutsogiannis illustration: Doroberdemata, Susaeta Publications
4. Fotini Fragouli text, Evi Tsaknia illustration: History sees, Patakis Publications
5. Alkisti Halikia text, Maria Bahas illustration: As a power outage, Ikaros Publications
6. Kyriakos Charalambidis text, Katerina Hadoulou illustration: With the words in our arms, Kaleidoscopio Publications

Shortlist for the State Prize for Teenage and Young Adult Literary Book 2024

1. Spyros Giannakopoulos: Cosmonaut, Patakis Publications
2. Nikoleta Kapilla text, Dimitra Papadimitriou illustration: The Year Everything Turned Grey, Kedros Publications
3. Manos Kontoleon: Never before, Patakis Publications
4. Eleni Tasopoulou: What is hidden in the trees, Kastaniotis Publications

Shortlist for the State Prize for Children’s Illustrated Book 2024

1. Maria Andrikopoulou text, Vassilis Koutsogiannis illustration: The Colour of Summer, Hydroplano Publications
2. Vangelis Iliopoulos text, Kiara Fendele illustration: We are a family, Patakis Publications
3. Despina Irakleous text, Chryso Charalambous illustration: The teacher’s shoes, Kaleidoscopio Publications
4. Stergia Kavvalou text, Konstantinos Markopoulos illustration: This is not a spoon, Potamos Publications
5. George Kavoukas text, Tomek Yovanis illustration: How do you say “I can” when you spell it wrong?, Papadopoulos Publications
6. Myrto Kalofolia text, Persa Zacharia illustration: Pineapple Braid, Kaleidoscopio Publications
7. Efi Lada text and illustrations: When I grow up I will tell you, Psychogios publications
8. Maria Lykartsi text, Daniella Stamatiadis illustration: Normal, Kastaniotis Publications
9. Argyro Mountaki, Dora Andreadaki text, Kostas Theocharis illustration: The child and the moon, Psychogios publications
10. Fotini Stefanidi: The mockingbird, Kaleidoscopio Publications

Shortlist for the State Book Award for Children’s Knowledge 2024

1. Philip Mandilaras text, Niki Leonidou illustration: Escape Book. The Antikythera Mechanism, Papadopoulos Publications.
2. Vasiliki Markaki text, Lela Stroitsi illustration: In the neighborhood of Christmas, Psychogios Publications
3. Mariza Decastro text, Dimitra Miliori illustration: Alki Zei, Eyes like a blue sea, Metaixmio Publications
4. Antonis Sergis text, Katerina Siskopoulou illustration: Steve’s Apple, Psychogios Publications
5. Litsa Totska text, Maria Manoura illustration: The sky speaks Greek. The constellations in Greek Mythology, Hellenoekdotiki Publications

The composition of the competent nine-member State Children’s Book Prize Committee is as follows (Government Gazette 447/YODD/12.5.2023, Government Gazette 1129/Y.O.D.D./19.10.2023 and Government Gazette 1130/YODD/10.10.2024):

1. Dimitrios Politis, Professor of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Education of the University of Patras, Chairperson

2. Anastasia Economidou, Professor of the Department of Early Childhood Education, Democritus University of Thrace, Children’s Literature Critic, Vice President
3. Vassiliki Vassiloudi, Assistant Professor of Children’s Literature at the Department of Primary Education, University of Crete, Member
4. Melpomene (Meni) Kanatsouli, Professor of the Department of Early Childhood Education and Education of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Member
5. Dimitrios Goulis, Assistant Professor of Children’s Literature at the Department of Primary Education, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Member
6. Zacharoula Karava, Author, Member
7. Ioanna Bakirtzi (literary pseudonym Ioanna Babeta), Author, Member
8. Efstathia (Teti) Solou, Illustrator, Member
9. Alexandra (Sandra) Eleftheriou, Illustrator, Member

C) The Short Lists of titles for the State Literary Translation Awards 2024 – Book Production 2023 (State Prize for the Translation of a Work of Foreign Literature into Greek, State Prize for the Translation of a Work of Ancient Greek Literature into Modern Greek and State Prize for the Translation of a Work of Greek Language into a Foreign Language) are as follows (titles are listed in alphabetical order according to the translator):

Shortlist for the State Prize for the Translation of Foreign Literature into Greek 2024

2. Alain Damasio, Les Furtifs, Polis publications, translation by Dimitris Dimakopoulos
3. Colum McCann, Apeirogon, Kastaniotis Publications, translation by Tonya Kovalenko
4. Laszlo Krasnahorkai, Herscht 07769. The Bach Story by Florian Herscht, Polis Publications, translation by Manuela Berkie
5. James Wood, How Fiction Works, Antipodes Publications, translated by Costas Spatharakis
6. Katerina Tutskova, Gerta, Alexandria Publications, translation by Kostas Tsivos
7. Seneca, Apocolocyntosis, Kichli Publications, translation by Stavros Tsitsiridis
8. Guido Morcelli, Dissipatio H.G., Loggia publications, translation by Maria Fragouli
9. Milan Kundera, L’Art du Roman, Hestia Bookshop, translation by Yannis H. Haris
10. Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers (Volumes I & II), Gutenberg Publications, translation by Rena Hathout

Short List of the State Prize for the Performance of Ancient Greek Literature in Modern Greek 2024

1. Sophocles. Ichneutae. Homeric Hymn to Hermes, 24 letters, translation by Andreas X. Zoulas
2. In the time of the plague. Epidemics in antiquity that surpassed logic (Collective work), University Publications of Crete, translation by Stefanos Paraskevaidis
3. Athenagoras, For the defence of the Christians, Armos, translation by Ioannis Plexidas

Shortlist for the State Prize for the Translation of Greek Literature into a Foreign Language 2024

1. Collective Volume, La Grèce de l’ étrange, Aiora Publications, translator René Bouchet
2. Angelos Sikelianos, The Delphic Endeavour (Η Δελφική προσπάθεια), Ikaros Publications, translator David Connolly
3. Foivi Gianissi, Homérica (Ομηρικά), Vaso Roto Ediciones, translators Vicente Fernández González, Ioanna Nicolaidοu
4. Andreas Empirikos, De amuletten van de liefde en van de wapenen (Tα χαϊμαλιά του έρωτα και των αρμάτων: Αργώ ή Πλους αεροστάτου. Ζεμφύρα ή το μυστικόν της Πασιφάης. Βεατρίκη ή Ο έρωτας του Buffalo Bill), Ta Grammata Publications, translator Hero Hokwerda
5. Anthology, Antología de poesía chipriota (1821-2021), Centro de Estudios Bizantinos Publications, Neogriegos y Chipriotas, José Antonio Moreno Jurado
6. Nikos Themelis, Adevărurile Celorlalți (Οι αλήθειες των άλλων), Ideea Europeana Publications, translator Antzela Bratsou
7. Yannis Palavos, Barnet (Το παιδί), Heidruns Förlag Publications, translator Jan Henrik Swahn

The composition of the nine-member State Literary Translation Prize Committee (Government Gazette/U.S.O.D.D./447/12-5-2023, Government Gazette 1269/U.S.O.D.D/23-11-2023, Government Gazette 58/U.S.O.D.D/26-1-2024, Government Gazette 1130/U.S.O.D.D/10-10-2024) is as follows:

1.Ioannis Dim. Tsolkas, Professor of History of Italian Literature and European Civilization at the Department of Italian Language and Literature of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, (Member of the Board of Directors of universities of higher education in the field of Greek history, society or politics), Chairperson

2.Vassilios Sabatakakis, Associate Professor of Modern Greek Studies at Lund University (Sweden), President of the European Society of Modern Greek Studies, Neohellenist, Vice President

3.Rubini Demopoulou, Permanent Assistant Professor of Latin Literature of the Middle Ages and Renaissance in the Department of Classical Literature of the Faculty of Philosophy of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Member of the Faculty of Philosophy of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Member

4.Dimitrios Filias, Professor of Literary Translation at the Department of Foreign Languages, Translation and Interpretation of the Ionian University (Member of the Board of Directors of the University of Athens, in a subject related to translation), Member

5.Konstantinos Bouras , Critic, Member

6.Laura Salas Rodríguez, Translator, Member

7.Vassilis Vasiliadis, Neohellinist, Member

8.Anna Afentoulidou Αφεντουλίδου, Critic, Member

9.Ioanna-Anna Meitani, Translator, Member