The Flemish Literature Fund supports Dutch-language literature in Belgium and abroad.
The longlist of the AKO Literature Prize was made public at Manuscripta, the opening event of the Dutch book season. Amongst the 25 nominees are six Flemish writers: Erwin Mortier for ‘Godenslaap' (Divine sleep), Dimitri Verhulst for ‘Godverdomse dagen op een godverdomse bol' (Goddamn days on a goddamn globe), Bart Moeyaert for ‘Graz', Geert Buelens for ‘Europa, Europa!', Erik Vlaminck for ‘Suikerspin' (Candy floss) and Joris Note for ‘Tegen het einde' (Towards the end).
Antwerp-based Dutch poety Joke van Leeuwen also made the list for her novel ‘Alles nieuw' (Everything new). Amongst the Dutch nominees are renowned authors Arnon Grunberg, P.F. Thomése, Gerrit Komrij and Tommy Wieringa .
The shortlist will be announced on 2 October, the winner on 10 November. The jury is presided by the former Prime Minister of Belgium, Guy Verhofstadt.
