News overview

In 2026, the Amarte Literature Prize will be awarded for the second time. With this prize, the Amarte Fund reaffirms its enduring commitment to the development and visibility of distinctive, urgent literature that transcends conventional boundaries and challenges both readers and fellow writers.The Amarte Literature Prize is intended for writers who have previously received a grant from the fund for the realisation of a book project. The prize consists of a cash award of €15,000 and an essayistic reflection on the winning book, written by an emerging talent within Dutch–Flemish literary criticism.The first edition of the Amarte Literature Prize was awarded in 2024 to Julien Ignacio for his book Goudjakhals. This marked the starting point of a prize that connects literary daring with artistic development and social relevance.We are proud to announce the jury of the Amarte Literature Prize 2026: Fiep van Bodegom, Maxim Februari, Lars Meijer, Bibi Dumon Tak, and Wytske Versteeg (chair). In mid-February 2026, the jury will present the longlist, followed by the shortlist at the end of April. The final winner will be announced during a festive award ceremony in May 2026.

The longlist for the Amarte Literature Prize 2026 has been announced!The jury has selected fifteen titles eligible for the second edition of the prize. The longlist reflects a broad range of literary genres and voices, underscoring the expressive power, originality and urgency that lie at the heart of the Amarte Literature Prize.The following titles have been nominated for the longlist, listed alphabetically by title:Addertje – Jolanda Kooijmans (poetry)De buitengewoon geslaagde opvoeding van Frida Wolf – Maria Kager (novel)De eilanden van goed en kwaad – Adwin de Kluyver (literary non-fiction)Elders – Ilse Josepha Lazaroms (novel)Ik, de ander – Jante Wortel (novel)Kijk es naar al dat licht – Alara Adilow (novel)Kleine heilige dingen – Annemieke Dannenberg (novel)Korstmos – Rinske Bouwman (novel)Mensen als zonnen en mensen als manen – Xillan Macrooy (novel)Oerbos – Dore van Duivenbode (literary non-fiction)Ons gaan allemaal – Benzokarim (poetry)Rouwdouwers – Falun Ellie Koos (novel)Stad O. – Koen Caris (novel)The Great Marc Evers – Gemma Plum (graphic novel)Witte Paarden & Blauwzuur – Cees van den Boom (novel)The shortlist for the Amarte Literature Prize 2026 will be announced in April 2026. The jury, comprising writers Fiep van Bodegom, Maxim Februari, Lars Meijer, Bibi Dumon Tak and Wytske Versteeg (chair), will reveal the winner during a festive award ceremony in May 2026. The Amarte Literature Prize is awarded to a writer who has realised a literary project with the support of the Amarte Fund. The prize consists of a cash award of €15,000, an essayistic reflection on the winning book, and a trophy, designed this year by visual artist Mickey Yang. The first Amarte Literature Prize was awarded in 2024 to Julien Ignacio for his book Goudjakhals.Keep an eye on the website for the announcement of the shortlist!