Kościelski Award
こしぇるすきしょう
Established in 1962, an independent Polish literary prize by the Kościelski Foundation based in Geneva. Awarded annually to promising writers aged 40 or younger.
- Established
- 1962
- Organizer
- Kościelski Foundation (Geneva, Switzerland)
- Category
- Literature and General Literary Arts
- Selection Method
- Selection
- Target
- Professional
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Status
- Active
Description
The Kościelski Award was established in 1962 and is an independent Polish literary prize awarded by the Geneva-based Kościelski Foundation. A jury selects and honors "promising writers" aged 40 or younger each year. Past winners include Sławomir Mrożek, Zbigniew Herbert, Alicja Iwańska, Bolesław Taborski, Adam Zagajewski, Wojciech Karpiński, Jarosław Marek Rymkiewicz, Stefan Chwin, Jerzy Pilch, Paweł Huelle, Andrzej Stasiuk, Olga Tokarczuk, Tomasz Różycki, Jacek Dehnel, Maciej Płaza, Jolanta Stefko, Mikołaj Łoziński, Jacek Dukaj, and others. In Polish literature, it is the second oldest independent prize after the Award of the Union of Polish Writers Abroad, established in London in 1951. The Wikipedia article includes a note that additional sources are needed.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Recognition by the Kościelski Foundation (prize money and honor). No specific prize amount is mentioned in public documents.
- Honor and increased recognition from winning
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate selection (nomination) | Selection committee appointed by the Kościelski Foundation | — | — |
| Final selection and award | Same as above (final judging committee) | — | Official announcement by the Kościelski Foundation (no specific timing detailed in sources) |
Criteria
- Must be a promising writer aged 40 or younger
- Literary value and originality
- Future potential (expected long-term success)
Application Tips
Dos
- Confirm that you meet the age requirement (40 or younger)
- Prepare your representative works and publication history to demonstrate literary quality and uniqueness
- Build a track record of writing in Polish or activities in the Polish literary community
Don''ts
- Do not falsify your age or background
- Do not use unclear application routes or unofficial submissions (if no public call for entries is specified)
- Do not make claims without verifiable sources or facts
From Judges
- Emphasize literary originality and quality
- Demonstrate quality of long-term expression over short-term trends
- Show potential as a writer (ability to continuously produce high-quality works)
Related Awards
- Award of the Union of Polish Writers Abroad