EBRD Literature Prize 2020 Shortlist

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) continue their support for Eastern European literature in English translation and for a third time published the shortlist for the annual EBRD Literature Prize.

The EBRD was established in 1991 in response to the vast need of investment into the newly dissolved Soviet Union and its former satellite states in Eastern Europe. Since then, more countries of operation have been added in the Middle East and North Africa.

Last year's winner was "The Devil's Dance" by Uzbek writer Hamid Ismailov, translated into English by Donald Rayfield. Both writer and translator are awarded EUR 10,000 each. It was a historic event as "The Devil's Dance" was the first novel ever to be translated into English from Uzbek.

The Shortlist for 2020 is as follows:

• "Devilspel" author Grigory Kanovich (Russian), translator Yisrael Elliot
• "Pixel" author Krisztina Tóth (Hungarian), translator Owen Good
• "Zuleikha" author Guzel Yakhina (Russian) translator Lisa C Hayden

The winner will be announced on the 22 of April.