Libris Literature Prize 2025 Groningen

The Libris Literature Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the Netherlands. Each year, this prize is awarded to the author of the best Dutch-language novel, celebrating Dutch literature and encouraging people to read more literary works.

In this article, you’ll learn what the prize entails, why it’s important, who’s in the running for 2025 and who won and which fun literary activities are happening in Groningen.

What is the Libris Literature Prize?

The Libris Literature Prize is a major literary award in the Netherlands. It’s given annually to the author of the best Dutch-language novel — meaning a fictional book for adults written in Dutch. The prize aims to recognize authors for their work and inspire people to read more literature.

The winning author receives a cash prize of €50,000 and a special bronze medal called the Libris Literature Prize Medal. The other five shortlisted authors each receive €2,500.

The prize has existed since 1994 and is supported by Libris, a group of independent Dutch bookstores.

Why is this prize important?

The Libris Literature Prize is important for several reasons. First, it helps readers discover high-quality, well-written books. The books on the longlist and shortlist receive extra attention in the media, bookstores, and libraries.

It’s also important for writers. Winning or being nominated brings recognition. Books that may have had few readers often gain more popularity after being listed — good news for authors and readers alike.

How is the winner chosen?

A jury chooses the winner. The jury usually consists of five people with expertise in literature, language, or culture. They read all books submitted by publishers and select 18 for the longlist. From there, six are chosen for the shortlist. The jury then picks one winner from those six.

Who are the 2025 nominees?

The six books on the 2025 shortlist are:

• Man maakt stuk – Maurits de Bruijn (Das Mag Publishing)
• De kroon met twee pieken – Guido van Heulendonk (De Arbeiderspers)
• Rouwdouwers – Falun Ellie Koos (Atlas Contact)
• Oroppa – Safae el Khannoussi (Pluim Publishing)
• In het oog – Marijke Schermer (Van Oorschot Publishing)
• Hogere machten – Joost de Vries (Prometheus Publishing)

These books were chosen for their originality, strong writing, and surprising perspectives. They bring new ideas and innovative storytelling to life.

When will the winner be announced?

The winner of the 2025 Libris Literature Prize will be announced on Monday, May 19, 2025, during a special broadcast of the television program Nieuwsuur on NPO 2.

Libris Literature Prize 2025 – Winner Announced

On Monday, May 19, 2025, the winner of the 32nd Libris Literature Prize was announced during a festive award ceremony at Felix Meritis in Amsterdam. The prize was presented by Alexander Rinnooy Kan, chairman of the Stichting Literatuur Prijs (Literature Prize Foundation).

The Libris Literature Prize is a prestigious annual award for the best original Dutch-language novel. The winner received a cash prize of €50,000 and a bronze medallion. For more information about the Libris Literature Prize and previous winners, visit the official website: librisprijs.nl. This year, debut author Safae el Khannoussi won the prize with his novel Oroppa! 
 

More reading fun in Groningen

Fun activities for book lovers

Love books and meeting fellow readers? Bookstore Riemer in Groningen regularly hosts cozy evenings with guest speakers, new book presentations, games, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Examples of upcoming activities:

Bob Dylan Lecture at Riemer Groningen

Bob Dylan Lecture – Thursday, May 22, 2025 | Riemer Groningen
An evening about the life and music of Bob Dylan. Enjoy stories, a quiz, live music, and a whiskey tasting of Dylan’s own brand — perfect for fans of music and storytelling.

Book Launch: Henk Helmantel at Riemer Groningen

Book Presentation by Henk Helmantel – Wednesday, June 19, 2025 | Riemer Groningen

Renowned Dutch painter Henk Helmantel presents his new book and shares insights into his life and work. A wonderful evening for lovers of art and literature.

Silent Reading Party at Forum Groningen

Silent Reading Party – Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | Forum Groningen

Tired of endless scrolling on your phone? Prefer to unwind with a book in peace and quiet? Then the Silent Reading Party at Forum Groningen is for you. It’s free, calm, and perfect for those who love offline reading time.

Poetry Writing in Groningen

Want to write English poetry in a welcoming group setting? The Groningen Poetry Stanza is a gathering of poets who write, read, and discuss their work in English.

When are the meetings?

• Every 2nd Thursday of the month: in-person at Literary Café De Graanrepubliek (Gedempte Kattendiep 11)
• Every 4th Thursday of the month: online

Meetings start at 7:30 PM and end around 10:00 PM.

Whether you’re an avid reader or simply curious about the best of Dutch literature, the Libris Literature Prize is a great way to discover new stories and support authors. Groningen makes it even better with many book-related events where you can meet fellow readers and celebrate literature together. Don’t miss out—get inspired by today’s stories!