The State Prize for Architecture this year was awarded to Miroslav Šik

Prague - This year, the State Prize for Literature was awarded to writer Pavel Kolmačka. The jury recognized him for his novel Canto ostinato: November, experiences close to winter. The laureate of the State Prize for Translation is Dagmar Hartlová for her lifelong contribution to the mediation of Swedish and Norwegian literature and for her significant pedagogical work. The Ministry of Culture's award was presented to six other personalities of Czech culture during today's festive evening at the New Stage of the National Theatre.

"We have excellent authors and creators who, especially in challenging times, and we live in such a time now, bring encouragement and hope. It is to culture and art that we turn in both happy and difficult moments. They are a source of joy, energy, and a moment of sharing positive emotions," stated Culture Minister Martin Baxa (ODS). "The State Prize for Literature additionally has a unique status among other awards because of its important position, and we perceive it as irreplaceable, mainly due to its modern specific tradition, which follows the awarding of state prizes in pre-war Czechoslovakia," he added.

The State Prize for Literature has been awarded at the proposal of a jury appointed by the Minister of Culture since 1995. It builds on a tradition established in 1920 and interrupted in 1948. It is intended to recognize either a significant original work of Czech literature or the existing literary creation. Baxa thanked Kolmačka not only for his literary work but also for his brave stances. Kolmačka then thanked the jury, the editors of the awarded book, and his loved ones.

The translation prize was won by translator Hartlová, predominantly from Swedish. "The greatest merit and contribution to that award belong to the translated literature itself, because Nordic literature has had a particular appeal to Czech readers from the very beginning, which is almost mysterious and inexplicable," she said.

The Ministry of Culture's award for contribution to theater was awarded to scenographer and costume designer Marta Roszkopfová for her unique and continually inspiring contribution to Czech scenography with a significant international reach. The award for contribution to visual arts went to art historian and curator Hana Rousová for her pioneering interdisciplinary approach, opening problematic themes and questions, and for her inspiring informal influence on the younger generation.

In music, conductor Petr Altrichter received the award for his lifelong conducting activities with both domestic and foreign orchestras, for his artistic versatility, and authenticity. The award was accepted on his behalf by Daniel Sobotka, director of the Prague Symphony Orchestra FOK. In architecture, architect Miroslav Šik received the award for connecting domestic and global creation, for his inspiring concept of analog architecture, and for his significant pedagogical imprint on the thinking of several generations of architects.

For contribution to cinematography and audiovisual media, screenwriter and actor Karel Smyczek was recognized for his long-term contributions to Czech film and television production, emphasizing the authorial courage with which he enriched Czechoslovak audiovisual media in the 70s and 80s, and for his work for children and youth. In memoriam, the same award was given to director Karel Vachek for his lifelong contribution to creatively exploring the possibilities of documentary film, examining its boundaries and overlaps, as well as for his pedagogical work at the Film and Television Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts, which significantly influenced several generations of filmmakers.

The focus of nominations for the State Prize for Literature changes; this year it was awarded for a significant literary achievement, while next year the prize will be awarded for a lifetime body of work.