The Mikhail Anempadystav Belarusian PEN Club Award for the best cover of a Belarusian book: support the Belarusian people in their fight for culture and identity!

Forty books have been nominated for this year’s award. To honour the winner, we need to fund the main prize: an angel statuette. The cost is 5,000 PLN

Why is this so important today?

By supporting Belarusian culture, you stand shoulder to shoulder with a nation fighting for its freedom. Cultural resistance is part of this struggle — a way to preserve the identity, dignity and voice of Belarusians. It is also a step towards a free, democratic Belarus.

Belarusian books are currently fighting for their place in the world and in the hearts of readers. Every great cover is a step forward. It is a sign that we exist, that we create, that we are not silent. We want books from Belarus to look dignified — to be striking, professional and inspiring.

Why are we doing this?

The award is named after the outstanding Belarusian artist, poet and cultural scholar — Mikhail Aniempadystav. He was not merely a graphic designer — he saw in visual art a language capable of telling the story of Belarus and its aspirations.

His designs adorned the covers of books by both classic and contemporary authors of Belarusian literature, and his last great work — The Colour of Belarus — became a veritable visual encyclopaedia of national identity. He was creating a better Belarus.

Michał Aniempadystau also had close ties with Poland — he had many friends here, both within artistic circles and beyond.

The award is organised by its co-founders – Belarusian PEN and the Open Culture Foundation.

Together, we can ensure that Belarusian books:

– are proudly displayed on bookshelves in bookshops around the world;

– are visible at book fairs, in bookshops and on social media;

– find a place in readers’ hearts;

– captivate and tell a story from the very first glance.

What are we awarding the prize for?

For the covers of Belarusian books that not only adorn them but also convey their idea, meaning and mood.

For graphic designs that elevate the Belarusian book to a new visual level.

What will we use your support for?

– to create the main prize — a statuette in the shape of an angel;

– to organise an open competition and the work of the jury;

– to stage a beautiful, modern awards ceremony.

On the Belarusian PEN website, you can see what the statuette looks like and how the last two ceremonies — in Warsaw and Bielsk Podlaski — unfolded.

Support the award — support Belarusian literature that we can be proud of. Your contribution is not just a helping hand. It is an investment in Belarus’s presence, voice and image in the world.