Serhiy Zhadan: Recognition and Awards
Renowned writer, musician, and volunteer Serhiy Zhadan has been awarded the prestigious Austrian State Prize for European Literature in 2025. This accolade was conferred by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, and Sports of Austria, marking a significant milestone for Ukrainian literature.
“Serhiy Zhadan gives voice to the Ukrainian people, reflecting the horrors of war and the fear that accompanies aggression. His works are testimonies to the realities that ordinary language cannot convey,” emphasized Andreas Babler, the Austrian Minister of Culture.
The award, established in 1965, is given to European authors for their significant literary achievements. The laureate receives €25,000, and the works must be available in German translation.
Zhadan, who studied German literature and earned a PhD in Ukrainian futurism, has been a prominent figure in the youth literary scene in Kharkiv since 1991.
Debuting at the age of 17, he has published twelve poetry collections and seven prose works. His book “Invention of Jazz in Donbas,” known in Ukraine as “Voroshilovgrad,” received acclaim and was named “Book of the Decade” by the BBC.
In 2022, Zhadan was awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, and last year he received the title of honorary professor of philosophy at the Ukrainian Free University in Munich.
In early June 2024, Serhiy Zhadan officially confirmed his enlistment in the National Guard, while continuing his active volunteer efforts to support Ukrainian soldiers.
