Gert Jonke Prize

The Gert Jonke Prize is a literary award granted every two years by the state of Carinthia, honoring outstanding achievements in the genres of prose, drama, and poetry since 2011. Each award cycle focuses on a different genre, thereby acknowledging the stylistic diversity of contemporary literature. The selection of the laureates is made exclusively by a professional jury – self-nominations are not possible. The state capital Klagenfurt covers the organizational costs for the jury, logistics, and the ceremonial award presentation, while the state of Carinthia funds the prize. This collaboration underscores the joint commitment to the literary culture of the federal state.

The prize is aimed at authors with several published works who are nominated by the jury based on their artistic achievements and publication records. There is no formal application process; instead, the jurors each propose two candidates and vote on the final laureates during a meeting. Nominations occur on a biennial basis, so there is no specific deadline. By continuously drawing attention to authors, the Gert Jonke Prize promotes sustainable literary excellence and strengthens Carinthia’s cultural identity. The award not only provides recognition but also offers a platform to make the honorees’ work accessible to a broad public.