from 2025

New literary prize for rebellious literature

From 2025, the Helena Adler Prize for Rebellious Literature will be awarded annually to an Austrian author. The prize honors Helena Adler, who died in early 2024 at the age of 40 after a serious illness and whose committed, emancipated texts made her a distinctive voice in contemporary German-language literature. 

Tomas Friedmann, director of the Literaturhaus Salzburg and initiator of the prize, describes it as recognition for literary works that deal with life, death and social upheaval in a creative, critical and sensual way. The prize, endowed with 7,777 euros, is supervised and organized by the Literaturhaus Salzburg.

The prize money comes from the Austrian Ministry of Culture, the province and city of Salzburg, the municipality of Oberndorf, the Literaturhaus Salzburg and private donors.

The idea was developed in collaboration with Thomas Stadler, Adler's husband. A three-member, independent jury of experts will decide on the first award in December 2024. The winner will be announced on January 5, the anniversary of Adler's death.