The third Dausa Family Lithuanian Literature Prize

The third annual Dausa Family Lithuanian Literature prizes were awarded on April 27, 2026 in Vilnius, at the premises of the Lithuanian Writers‘ Union with  Lithuanian Canadian Foundation board chair, Dr. Arūnas Pabedinskas in attendance.

Photo Laura Vansevičiene

The prize in the first category, an original work of fiction written in the Lithuanian language, was presented to Kotryna Zylė for her novel „Mėlyni Kaulai“ (pub. Aukso Žuvys, 2024).  The work entwines Lithuanian mythology with everyday life and examines themes of love, relationships, human existence. The literary prize awarded was 15,000 euros.

Photo Laura Vansevičiene

The second category is for an original work  by an author of Lithuanian heritage

translated into Lithuanian and published.  The prize was presented to Canadian

Anatanas Šileika for his novel „Unfinished Business „(„Nebaigti Reikalai“, Baltos Lankos, 2024).  The work examines the effects of the complexities of post-war life in Lithuania on individuals as well as society. The prize, 15,000 euros was equally shared by the author and the translator, Kristina Aurylaitė.

The third category prize was awarded for a debut work in the Lithuanian language.  It was presented to Darius Žiūra for his novel „Diseris“ (Kitos Knygos, 2024).  The novel depicts life as a squatter, working aroad, the evolvement of becoming an artist, and the cultural milieu at the time.  The literary prize award was 7,000 euros.

In addition, grants of 1,000 euros were awarded to each of the publishers of the award winning novels.