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It is with great pleasure and deep emotion that I am here tonight to welcome you to the award ceremony of the State Literature Prizes for publications of the year 2022. The State Literature Awards, an emblematic institution of the Ministry of Culture, express the State's long-standing support for the literature of our country. Through this competitive institution, one of the most important pages of the modern history of literature in Cyprus is written and the cultural values of our country are highlighted. At the same time, quality literary creation is promoted and access to it is provided. It is a pillar for the development and promotion of literacy through lively dialogue and competition.
After 55 years of uninterrupted presence, the institution of the State Literature Awards is modernized and meets the requirements of each era, while keeping its values and aspirations stable and unchanged.
Tonight, in this celebration of the literary book, seven authors are being honoured, whose works have been singled out for the reasons that the Presidents of the Jury Committees will give in a moment. Among the publications of the year 2022, the following are being honored: Panagiotis Nicolaides in the category Poetry, Konstantinia Sotiriou in the category Novel, Maria Alpha Ioannou in the category Short Story/Novel, and Pavlos Andreou in the category Young Writer Award. In the category Literature for Young Children Despina Irakleous, in the category Literature for Older Children and Adolescents Petros Panaou and in the category Illustration of Literary Books for Children and Adolescents Chryso Charalambous. I believe I speak for everyone when I express the admiration and pride of this moment.
I congratulate all the authors and illustrators whose works were included in the shortlists, which were singled out and discussed during the decision-making process of the Jury Committees.
I congratulate all the authors and illustrators whose works were included in the shortlists, which were singled out and discussed during the decision-making process of the Jury Committees.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Tonight is only the second ceremony within the framework of the institution since the establishment of the State Ministry of Culture. The establishment of the Deputy Ministry is a historic act, which makes a practical contribution to the effective implementation of a coherent strategy in culture. Among the responsibilities of the State Ministry of Culture is the development of a policy to encourage publishing activity and the development of literature. In addition to the institution of the State Literature Prizes, the State Ministry of Culture implements various actions and programmes for the development and promotion of literature and the preservation of our literary tradition. Particular emphasis is also placed on the promotion of literary reading and the mobility of literary books. Among the immediate objectives of the Deputy Ministry is the active participation of Cypriot publishers in International Book Fairs, as well as the further strengthening of the mobility of the work of Cypriot authors both locally and internationally.
This year the Cyprus Publishers Association was present at the Frankfurt International Book Fair with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Culture.
This year the Cyprus Publishers Association was present at the Frankfurt International Book Fair with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Culture. This cooperation will continue, and in 2024 the Association will participate, apart from the Frankfurt International Book Fair, in the International Book Fairs of Thessaloniki and Bologna with institutionalized support from the Ministry of Culture.
Through two Projects dedicated to supporting the translation and dissemination of Cypriot literature, the literature of Cyprus is highlighted and communication and accessibility is sought at local and international level. The Deputy Ministry of Culture funds the organisation of activities, festivals and literary competitions in Cyprus, as well as the participation of Cypriot writers in festivals and other activities abroad, which contribute to their personal promotion, development and networking. It also implements the Scheme for the Support of Periodical Publications of Cultural Content, the Scheme for the Support of the Promotion and Promotion of Cypriot Publications at International Book Exhibitions Abroad, as well as the Publications Purchase Measure for the Enrichment of Cypriot and Foreign Libraries.
Furthermore, the Deputy Ministry of Culture organizes international scientific conferences, lectures and workshops on leading modern Greek writers, such as the conference held this year on the poet Miltos Shachtouris, in cooperation with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the conference on Constantine Cavafy, in cooperation with the University of Cyprus, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his birth. Moreover, in the context of the objective of the Deputy Ministry of Culture to strengthen intercultural dialogue, the distinguished Chilean poet and translator Pedro Vicuña was invited, in cooperation with the Chilean Consulate.
This year, in the context of the European Union's participation for the first time as an honoured entity in the Guadalajara International Book Fair, Cypriot authors and publishers participated on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, while activities and events showcased Cyprus' literary production at this major international event.
I would like to thank all the members of the Jury Committees who worked both collectively and individually to promote the winning works. I would also like to thank the Cyprus Library for the technical and practical support and assistance provided throughout the process of screening and compiling the list of nominated works.
In conclusion, I congratulate the recipients of the State Prize for Literature for this great distinction and I wish them to continue their career with new or favourite paths.
Thank you very much.
(EFYs/NG/ASP)
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