OREANDA-NEWS. July 21, 2008. Rietumu Bank’s Charity Fund once again supports the annual award of Janis Baltvilks, the famous children’s writer in Latvia. J. Baltvilks award is the most significant one in the Latvian children literature. The award ceremony will take place on July 24 – on the day of the writer’s birthday, reported the press-centre of Rietumu Bank.

The annual Janis Baltvilks award was founded in 2005 by the Latvian Council of Literature to foster development of the Latvian children literature and to put more emphasis on the significance of the art for the society.

The award is traditionally given to the best Latvian children’s writer and illustrator. This year, the best children’s writer, whose works are translated into the Latvian language, and translator of the entire Baltic region will be awarded. Their names have been announced recently – Aydi Vallik, the Estonian writer, is to become the international laureate of the award for her novel for teenagers “What shall we do, Anna?”; and Mayma Grinberga, the novel’s translator into the Latvian language. The names of the best Latvian writer and illustrator the jury will announce during the award ceremony on July 24.

Each laureate will receive an honourable diploma, a symbolic prize created by Inese Brant, the ceramist, and the award of EUR 3500 to support future artworks.