Krakow doubles support for literature
This year, the budget of the UNESCO City of UNESCO City Literature Competition was doubled to 400,000. zloty. Nearly 200 literary projects received support during his five editions. Among the awarded authors was Małgorzata Lebda with the poetic prose « Łakome ». The book went to the finals of the Nike award and the Conrad Awards and are waiting for filming. The distinction was awarded to Urszula Honek, winner of the Conrad Award for the book « White Nights », nominated for the International Booker Award.
The laureate is Mateusz Pakuła with the book « If I didn’t kill my father and I regret it very much. » On its basis, a theater performance was created, which saints triumphs at festivals. It is worth mentioning the report of Anna Goc, for which the author received awards Ryszard Kapuściński and Beata Pawlak. In recent years, the books of the authors honored with the KMLu prize have classified to the finals of the literary award of Central Europe Angelus, the Literary Award of Gdynia and many others.
– The award is proof that investing in literature brings measurable results. Financial support translates into the achievements of the authors. Their publications win the most important literary distinctions in Poland and abroad – says Barbara Balmas, head of the KBF literary department, competition organizer.
Currently, there are over 30 independent bookstores and antique shops near Wawel. This year, in response to the difficulties with which the book market is struggling, Krakow increased from 85,000. PLN up to 300 thousand PLN Financing granted from the KMLU Book Fund. In 2024, 14 bookstores and one antique shop got support. The money was allocated to the organization of events and the promotion of books published under the patronage of KMLU.
– From week to week, the number of closing chamber bookstores increases all over Poland. Therefore, it is necessary to increase their financing, especially in Krakow, which for over a decade is proud of the title of UNESCO Literature – emphasizes the President of Krakow Aleksander Miszalski.
