Contest announced for Latvian-Estonian language promotion award

TALLINN – The ministries of foreign affairs of Latvia and Estonia have announced a contest for the annual Joint Award for the Promotion of the Latvian and Estonian Languages (Languages Award).

In accordance with the statutes of the award, a translation, a piece of research, or a Latvian language teacher in Estonia or an Estonian language teacher in Latvia can be nominated for the Languages Award. The jury's decision on the winner will be made in the spring of 2019 and the winner will be announced by the foreign ministers of both countries, spokespeople for the Estonian Foreign Ministry said.

The aim of the Languages Award is to promote the knowledge of the Latvian and Estonian languages and to recognize the achievements of Latvian and Estonian translators, linguists and teachers in the promotion of the Latvian and Estonian languages. The Languages Award, which this year will be awarded for the tenth time, also contributes to strengthening Latvian and Estonian cultural cooperation.

The size of the award is 3,000 euros and the Award Fund receives equal contributions from the ministries of foreign affairs of Latvia and Estonia. The jury of the award consists of representatives from the Latvian and Estonian ministries of foreign affairs as well as language and literature experts from both countries.

In previous years, the award has been granted to Maima Grinberga, in 2009 and in 2012, Guntars Godins, in 2010 and in 2013, Kalev Kalkun, in 2011, Margus Konnula alias Contra, in 2014, Valts Ernstreits, in 2015, and Livia Viitol, in 2016.

Last year, Ruta Karma was nominated for the award for her translation of the novel "Varjuteater" (Shadow Theater) by Estonian writer Viivi Luik. The books translated by Ruta Karma also include the works of Jaan Kaplinski, Mari Saat, Mats Traat and other renowned Estonian authors.

Award candidates for 2018 can be nominated until March 4. The contest application and the CV of the nominee can be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] or by mail to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islandi valjak 1, 15049 Tallinn with reference to Languages Award.