Tea Topuria’s Novel "By Jacob’s Well" Reaches the Finals of the European Union Prize for Literature

Tea Topuria’s book By Jacob’s Well has reached the finals of the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL). This prestigious award is one of Europe’s most distinguished literary prizes, created to recognize contemporary authors and highlight the diversity of European culture. Representing Georgia, Tea Topuria, with her novel By Jacob’s Well, published by Intelekti Publishing, is among the finalists.

The novel is written in the genre of magical realism and explores themes of fate, identity, and cultural heritage. The book tells the story of a small nation, part of which is forced to flee and resettle due to invaders. The plot unfolds along two parallel lines: on one hand, we follow the lives of those who resettle and seek new ways of life in foreign environments, while on the other hand, we see those who remain behind, burdened by nostalgia and despair, trying to coexist with the occupiers.

This year, for the first time, Georgia’s nominee was selected through the initiative of the PEN Center. As for the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL), it is held annually to promote Europe’s cultural and linguistic heritage. The prize is organized by the Federation of European Publishers (FEP), the European Writers’ Council (EWC), and the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), with financial support from the Creative Europe programme.

"I am proud to see such a variety of emerging talents from so many different horizons. Books know no borders. [...] Through their writing, they convey the universal values that shape our European societies", - Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport. 

The winner of the prize will be announced on May 16, 2024, at the Prague Book Fair.