The Natallia Arsennieva Prize for the best Belarusian-language poetry book will be awarded on May 27 during a ceremony at the Nowy Teatr in Warsaw.
The event has two main goals: to honor the best poetry book written in Belarusian and to commemorate Natallia Arsennieva, an outstanding poet whose legacy continues to inspire new generations of Belarusians around the world.
The winner will be selected from a shortlist that includes:
- Ihar Kulikou, “Netutseyshaya Dalechynya” (“The Non-Local Distance”) (Januskevich, 2025)
- Illia Kulbitski, “Chronicle of the Denial of Emptiness” (Skaryna Press, 2025)
- Maks Shchur, “Tea Collection. Selected Post-Poetry 2007–2025” (SayBeat, 2025)
This year marks the 10th anniversary season of the prize.
The evening program will include readings by shortlisted authors, the announcement of the winner, a musical performance by the band Lity Taler, and a book fair featuring Belarusian publishers.
This year’s jury includes five literary figures. Publicly announced participants include: Darya Bialkevich, poet, translator, songwriter, and arts manager; Nasta Kudasava, poet and translator; Vital Ryzhkou, poet, translator, and organizer of literary projects; and Andrei Khadanovich, poet, translator, and literary scholar.
The prize is organized by the Belarusian PEN Center and the International Union of Belarusian Writers.
When: May 27, 2026 (Wednesday), 7:00 p.m.
Where: Nowy Teatr in Warsaw (ul. Madalińskiego 10/16)
Language of the event: Belarusian (Polish-language programs will be available for guests)
Admission is free.
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