Vienna Celebrates its Best Children’s and Young Adult Literature at Buch Wien
The Austrian capital buzzed with literary excitement on November 23, 2024, as the City of Vienna’s Children’s and Young People’s Book Prizes were awarded for the first time as part of the exciting Buch Wien festival. The cozy setting provided the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable celebration of storytelling and creativity, where young readers had the chance to meet their favorite authors and illustrators, get signed copies of their books, and be inspired by the magic of words.
A Celebration of Imagination and Excellence
City Councillor for Culture Veronica Kaup-Hasler presented the coveted awards, which honored books that went beyond simple entertainment, truly capturing the hearts and minds of young readers. “Stories open doors to fantastic worlds and take us into a wide variety of cultures, eras and contexts,” Kaup-Hasler shared. “They allow us to empathize with protagonists and feel empathy for complex supporting characters; they open up new perspectives for us. Stories inspire, convey knowledge and encourage people to reflect on conflicts. Books are means of self-empowerment. And also a source of great joy!”
Honoring Outstanding Storytellers
The 2024 Children’s and Young People’s Book Prizes were awarded to three exceptional works:
- “Bio-Diversi-What? Journey into the fantastic world of biodiversity”, written by Andrea Grill and Sandra Neuditschko, published by Leykam Buchverlag.
- “The rose garden. Pink, the war and no man’s land”, written by Kathrin Steinberger and published by Tyrolia publishing house.
- “What nobody understands”, written by Michael Hammerschmid and Barbara Hoffmann, published by Jungbrunnen publishing house.
Adding to the celebration, the prestigious 2024 Illustration Prize was awarded to Linda Wolfsgruber for “Sieben. “the creation”, also published by Tyrolia publishing house.
Nurturing Future Generations of Readers
Established in 1955, the City of Vienna’s Children’s and Young People’s Book Prizes have long been a driving force in promoting a love for literature among the city’s youngest residents. The awards recognize not only the talent of authors and illustrators, but also the crucial role that books play in shaping young minds and fostering a lifelong love of reading. This year’s event witnessed a remarkable response, with 40 book titles from 11 publishers submitted for consideration, underscoring the vibrant and diverse literary landscape in Vienna.
The ultimate selection of the winning books was entrusted to a panel of expert judges, ensuring that only the most deserving works were honored. The prizes themselves were increased in 2024 to 5,000 euros each, reflecting the city’s deepening commitment to supporting excellence in children’s and young adult literature.
How does the Buch Wien festival, with its focus on children’s and young adult literature, contribute to the cultural landscape of Vienna?
## Vienna’s Bookworms Celebrate Young Literary Talent
**Interviewer:** Vienna witnessed a truly special event this past Friday. The Buch Wien festival hosted the inaugural City of Vienna’s Children’s and Young People’s Book Prizes. Could you tell us about the atmosphere and its significance?
**Guest:** It was electric! [[1](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buch_Wien)]This year’s Buch Wien went beyond being a typical book fair. Hosting the book prize ceremony brought a new level of excitement, especially for young readers. The entire event felt like a vibrant celebration of imagination and creativity.
**Interviewer:** City Councillor for Culture Veronica Kaup-Hasler emphasized the power of stories to empower young minds. Can you expand on that?
**Guest:** Absolutely! Councillor Kaup-Hasler highlighted how stories aren’t just entertainment; they’re portals to new worlds, cultures, and perspectives. They allow young readers to empathize with characters, grapple with complex issues, and ultimately discover their own voice and power through literature.
**Interviewer:** What makes this initiative particularly special for Vienna?
**Guest:** It shines a spotlight on the incredible talent within the realm of children’s and young adult literature. By recognizing and honoring these authors and illustrators, Vienna is not only celebrating their achievements but also nurturing a love of reading and storytelling in the next generation.
