The call for entries for the second edition of the Hestia Literary Travel contest, an initiative honouring the best Polish books written for children and young people between 10 and 15 years of age, has just been launched. This year, the Hestia Literary Journey Award, whose patron is ERGO Hestia, will be granted again. The contest is organized by the Hestia Artistic Journey Foundation in partnership with the Wisława Szymborska Foundation.
In the first edition of the contest the book “Lato na Rodos” (Summer on Rhodes) by Katarzyna Rydy, published by Nasza Ksiegarnia publishing house, was awarded. This is the first entry to launch the modern canon of classic children’s literature.
“A year ago, setting out on Hestia’s first Literary Journey, we did not doubt that our concern for literature for young people would be a long-term project. The success of the first edition confirmed our belief that the quality of this literature builds a wide range of interests and shapes the value system of the young reader. I am eagerly embarking on Hestia’s Literary Journey waiting for the submitted books. I do not doubt that they will take me to unobvious places, allowing me to look at everyday life in a new way,” comments Piotr Maria Śliwicki, President of ERGO Hestia Group.
The second edition of the contest is open to publishers and authors of novels and short stories published in Poland in 2021, written in Polish and intended for young readers. The competition intake also includes graphic novels. Nominations for the Award will be announced in June and the title of the winning book will be announced in September 2022. The winner or winners will receive a prize of 50 thousand PLN. The patron of the competition and the award is ERGO Hestia. Detailed information about the competition and the regulations can be found on the website literackapodrozhestii.pl
The idea of the Hestia Literary Journey competition, also in the context of its second edition, is discussed by representatives of two foundations involved in this project together with ERGO Hestia.
“Literature – apart from providing entertainment and other emotional experiences – gives us language. This language is used to describe the rapidly changing world and oneself in this world, but it is also used for conversation and dialogue. A language that does not serve dialogue becomes an empty language. We must remember this – not only in the context of literature for adults but also, and perhaps above all, in the context of literature for young people “- explains prof. Michał Rusinek, President of the Wisława Szymborska Foundation.