‘Annual Latvian Literary Award’ (LaLiGaBa)

The Annual Latvian Literary Award (LaLiGaBa) is the the most significant annual literary award and the most anticipated event in the field literature in Latvia. It provides professional evaluation of literary works and expresses appreciation for the outstanding works of Latvian literature that have been published over the past year. The prize is co-sponsor by the International House of Writers and Translators and the Writers’ Union of Latvia.

Literary works are evaluated by sector-related professionals – litterateurs, literary scholars, literary critics, etc. who then in March or April nominate the previous year’s best new works of poetry, prose, literature for children, translations, as well as debuts. An annual special prize is awarded for an extraordinarily significant work in literature, as well as an award for lifetime contribution in Latvian writing. The nominees are selected by conjoint expert panel in discussions and / or open vote. Award winners in each nomination are determined by a panel of experts in a secret vote and revealed at the award ceremony.

The prize is presented at a special award ceremony, which takes place annually in the second half of April.