The aim of the award is to recognize excellence and achievement related to individual contributions and accomplishments in 2023 in the promotion of the Latvian language in Estonia and the Estonian language in Latvia.
Translations of fiction or scientific publications in various fields, pieces of research, language learning projects, including a journalistic programme, article or broadcast on language learning and use, language teachers, higher education institution faculty members, researchers, translators, journalists, and organisers of language learning projects can be nominated for the Languages Award. The nominees can be either individuals or institutions.
The prize is 5,000 euros, made up of equal contributions from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries. The jury of the competition consists of language and literature experts from both countries as well as representatives from the Latvian and Estonian Ministries of Foreign Affairs. The winner will be announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.
The Languages Award will be awarded for the 15th time. The Award has been previously bestowed on Maima Grīnberga (2009, 2012), Guntars Godiņš (2010, 2013, 2018), Kalev Kalkun (2011), Margus Konnula alias Contra (2014), Valts Ernštreits (2015), Livia Viitol (2016), Rūta Karma (2017), Ilze Tālberga (2019), Lembit Vaba (2020), Daila Ozola (2021), and Hea Lugu publishers (2022).
The Languages Award nominations for 2023 can be submitted until 8 April 2024 in English to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia by e-mail: [email protected] or by post to K. Valdemāra iela 3, Rīga, LV-1395 with reference to “Languages Award”.
More details: Regulation on the Award and the Application Form