Jury Amarte Literature Prize 2026

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 literary essay on the winning book, written by an emerging talent within Dutch–Flemish literary criticism.

For the literary essay, Amarte, in collaboration with de lage landen, the leading cultural magazine that provides context and interpretation for literature, art, language, and history from Flanders and the Netherlands, will engage an emerging talent. This writer will be selected from the promising young literary critics who have previously participated in the writing residency at deBuren, the influential Flemish-Dutch house for culture and debate, which is dedicated to nurturing Dutch and Flemish writing talent. The author will receive feedback from De Lage Landen during the writing process, and the essay will be published there, first online and later in print.

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.