The International Prize "Meeting: Ukrainian-Jewish Literary Prize" 2025 has announced the jury. It was published on the website of the prize

The "Meeting: Ukrainian-Jewish Literary Prize" 2025 has announced the composition of its international jury. This information was published on the official website of the prize.
The prize was established in December 2019 by the Canadian non-governmental organization “Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter” with the support of the “Publishers’ Forum” (Lviv, Ukraine).
This prestigious award highlights the importance of the centuries-old shared experience of Ukrainians and Jews, which has been reflected in literature. Every year, the prize is awarded alternately in the categories of fiction and non-fiction, recognizing the most influential works that promote mutual understanding. In 2025, the prize will be awarded in the category of fiction — prose, poetry, and drama.

Composition of the International Jury

- Ostap Slyvynsky — Ukrainian poet, translator, essayist, and head of the jury.
- Maria Henkinа — founder of the literary project "Razom Literature" (USA), which promotes Ukrainian literature in the English-speaking world.
- Volodymyr Yeshkilev — Ukrainian prose writer, screenwriter, playwright, and publicist.
“Ukrainians and Jews have lived side by side for nearly two thousand years on the territory of modern Ukraine. Separately and together, they have woven a cultural fabric that has forever entered the cultural, linguistic, and historical heritage of Ukraine. Long periods of peaceful coexistence were also accompanied by tragedies that divided these two peoples with different historical experiences and narratives. Yet today, as Ukraine and Israel shape their identities as independent states, the foundation of shared ties remains, providing a new understanding of the past,” — emphasize the organizers of the prize.

History of the Prize

The prize was founded in December 2019 by the Canadian non-governmental organization “Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter” with the support of the “Publishers’ Forum” (Lviv, Ukraine).
Its purpose is to honor the shared historical experience of Ukrainians and Jews, captured in literature, and to highlight the cultural connections between the two peoples. The prize is awarded annually in two categories: fiction and non-fiction (alternately). It helps to strengthen Ukraine’s position as a multi-ethnic society and preserves the memory of the centuries-long coexistence of Ukrainians and Jews.
The first awarding of the prize took place in 2020. The winner was Vasyl Makhno for the novel "The Eternal Calendar" (Lviv: "Old Lion Publishing House", 2019).
The second year of the prize — 2021 — was dedicated to non-fiction. The winner was Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern for the Ukrainian-language translation of his groundbreaking work "Anti-Imperial Choice: The Rise of Ukrainian-Jewish Identity" (Kyiv: Krytyka Publishing House, 2018).
In 2022, the prize was not awarded due to Russia’s genocidal war against Ukraine.
In 2023, the prize was awarded in the fiction category. The winner was Sofia Andrukhovych with the novel "Amadoka" (Lviv: "Old Lion Publishing House", 2020).
The fourth year of the prize — 2024 — again recognized a non-fiction work. The winner was Yuriy Skyra with the book "Solid: The Shoe Factory of Life" (Lviv: Choven Publishing House, 2023).
In 2025, the prize returns to the category of fiction. The award ceremony will take place in October 2025 at the 32nd Lviv International BookForum.

The Importance of the Prize for Ukrainian-Jewish Relations

NAnews — Israel News emphasizes that the "Meeting: Ukrainian-Jewish Literary Prize" is not just a literary award. It is a symbol of trust and respect that unites the two peoples and helps preserve the memory of their centuries-old shared journey.
The prize serves as a reminder that historical memory and cultural cooperation are more important than ever. For Israelis of Ukrainian descent, it is a reminder of their roots, while for Ukrainians, it is a sign of recognition of the role of the Jewish community in the country’s history.
NAnews — Israel News will continue to monitor the development of the prize and inform its readers about its significance for Ukrainian-Jewish dialogue. https://nikk.agency/en/the-international/