Leipzig Book Fair's Belletristic Prize for Katerina Poladjan - Katerina Poladjan wins Leipzig Book Fair Prize for Goldstrand's lyrical depth
Author Katerina Poladjan has won the 2026 Leipzig Book Fair Prize for Fiction. The €60,000 award recognises her novel Goldstrand, a 160-page story blending memory, history, and sharp dialogue. Judges described the book as both light in tone and deeply profound in its impact.
Born in Moscow in 1971, Poladjan grew up between Rome and Vienna before settling in Germany. Her winning novel follows Eli, a film director in Rome, as he revisits his past through fragmented memories. The narrative stretches from Odessa to Bulgaria, weaving 20th-century European upheaval into surreal conversations with an enigmatic analyst.
The jury highlighted how *Goldstrand* transforms self-reflection and invention into a compelling life story. Poladjan's prose balances wit with emotional weight, drawing readers into Eli's world. The prize, one of Germany's most prestigious literary honours, celebrates fiction that pushes creative boundaries. Poladjan's earlier works have also earned acclaim, but this marks her first Leipzig Book Fair victory. The novel's compact length—just 160 pages—contrasts with its expansive themes of identity and history.
Goldstrand now joins the ranks of past Leipzig Prize winners, securing Poladjan's place among Europe's leading contemporary writers. The €60,000 award will likely bring wider attention to her work. The novel is available in German, with translations expected to follow.
