Leipzig Book Fair: Kracht, Haas, and Bilkau Among Nominees for Leipzig Book Prize

The Leipzig Book Fair has announced the nominees for its prestigious Leipzig Book Prize, a highly anticipated event in the literary calendar. This year, several prominent authors are in contention for the award, including Christian Kracht, Wolf Haas, and Kristine Bilkau, all recognized for their contributions to contemporary literature.

The chair of the jury, Katrin Schumacher, expressed hope that the selections represent a thoughtful and engaging perspective on current literature. The Leipzig Book Prize is awarded in three categories: fiction, translation, and non-fiction/essay writing.

Christian Kracht, the Swiss author, is nominated for his novel Air, which the jury has described as a captivating literary enigma. Wolf Haas, a bestseller and previous nominee, returns this year with his latest work Wackelkontakt. Kristine Bilkau is recognized for her book Halbinsel, which explores emotional burdens through seemingly simple narratives. Completing the fiction category are Cemile Sahin with Kommando Ajax and Esther Dischereit with Ein Haufen Dollarscheine.

This year, a total of 166 publishers submitted 506 works for consideration. The award ceremony will take place on March 27, coinciding with the opening of the Leipzig Book Fair, which runs from March 27 to March 30. The total prize money amounts to EUR60,000, with each category winner receiving EUR15,000, and all nominated authors being awarded EUR1,000.

In the non-fiction category, several authors who have previously served on the jury are nominated. Jens Bisky, who chaired the jury from 2019 to 2021, is in the running for his book Die Entscheidung. Deutschland 1929 bis 1934. Maike Albath, a former jury member from 2016 to 2018, is nominated for Bitteres Blau. Neapel und seine Gesichter.

The non-fiction nominations also include works by Harald Meller, Kai Michel, and Carel van Schaik, with their collaborative book Die Evolution der Gewalt. Warum wir Frieden wollen, aber Kriege führen. Eine Menschheitsgeschichte, alongside Irina Rastorgueva's Pop-up-Propaganda. Epikrise der russischen Selbstvergiftung, and Sandra Richter's biography titled Rainer Maria Rilke oder Das offene Leben.

Additionally, the translation category features nominated works translated from Polish, English, Italian, and Belarusian. The contenders include Olaf Kühl for Kälte, Lilian Peter for Angst vorm Fliegen, Verena von Koskull for Die Eisenbahnen Mexikos, Thomas Weiler for Feuerdörfer. Wehrmachtsverbrechen in Belarus - Zeitzeugen berichten, and Julia Wolf for Umlaufbahnen.

Last year's Leipzig Book Fair attracted 283,000 attendees, highlighting its significance as a cultural event where literature enthusiasts gather to celebrate reading and writing.