The traditional exhibition of the most beautiful books, which showcases recent trends in book design and art publishing in the Czech Republic and Lithuania, opens this year on March 5 at the Kazys Varnelis House-Museum, a branch of the National Museum of Lithuania.

Book Art in the Czech Republic – A Part of National Culture

In the Czech Republic, book creation and illustration are a significant part of national culture, with deep-rooted traditions. In 2002, works by students from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (Vysoká škola uměleckoprůmyslová v Praze) were exhibited for the first time at the Vilnius Book Fair. In subsequent years, exhibitions of the most beautiful Czech books—initiated and curated by book artist Sigutė Chlebinskaitė—were presented at the Kazys Varnelis House-Museum.

The annual Most Beautiful Czech Books competition, organized since 1965, is held by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the Museum of Czech Literature. The 59th edition of the competition saw entries from as many as 305 Czech publishers, graphic design and publishing school students, graphic designers, and art institutions. All submitted books were published and printed in the Czech Republic in 2023.

Books are evaluated based on several criteria: graphic quality, design, print quality, binding, illustrations, concept, and originality. Entries are divided into seven categories: academic literature, fiction, children’s and youth literature, textbooks, art books, bibliophile and author’s books, and student works. The top three books in each category are announced, and a cash prize is awarded to the first-place winners. An award is also given to a young creator (under 30 years old). This year, the exhibition of the most beautiful Czech books is especially extensive—featuring 46 award-winning titles.

Lithuania’s Most Beautiful Books – Honored for the 33rd Time

At the Kazys Varnelis House-Museum, a branch of the National Museum of Lithuania, the most beautiful Lithuanian books of 2024 are also traditionally on display. The Lithuanian Book Art Competition has now been held for the 33rd time. The competition, which awards publications for exceptional design, typography, and illustration, first took place in 1993. That year, the inaugural first prize—now called the Grand Prize of the Year—was awarded to Romas Orantas (1949–2012) for the book Solomon’s Ring, a collection of Jewish tales and legends, published by YAD and printed by Spindulys.

Since 1996, the competition has been organized and curated by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, with the winners announced at the Vilnius Book Fair. An annual catalogue—now an integral part of the event—is also published.

A book is considered prize-worthy when all the individuals involved in its creation form a cohesive team. For this reason, competition diplomas are awarded to the book’s designer (and layout artist), illustrator, publisher, and printer. The Ministry’s cash prizes, however, are awarded solely to the book’s designer. This year, 21 books have been awarded in the competition and are featured in the exhibition.

In addition to the Grand Prize of the Year, one prize and two diplomas are awarded annually in each of six thematic categories:

• Fiction and essays

• Children’s books

• Scientific, professional literature and textbooks

• Art publications

• Artistic and documentary photography publications

• Bibliophile and experimental books

Occasionally, the jury may adjust the structure slightly—this year, for instance, two prizes were awarded in the fiction category. The Vilnius Academy of Arts and the Lithuanian Artists’ Association also present their own awards.

Books are evaluated according to the competition’s official criteria, including layout structure and typesetting quality, printing and binding materials and craftsmanship, the conceptual coherence of the graphic design, and its dialogue with the book’s content. The artistic integrity of each publication is judged by expert commissions appointed for a two-year term by the Minister of Culture. This year’s group of expert practitioners included: Jurga Želvytė (chair), Vilija Liutkevičienė, Aistė Mudėnaitė, Lect. Rūta Mozūraitė.

The Book Art Competition expert commission consisted of: Lect. Rūta Mozūraitė (chair), Assoc. Prof. Ieva Babilaitė-Ibelgauptienė, Elona Marija Ložytė, Prof. Marija Marcelionytė-Paliukė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tomas Petreikis.

The exhibition is organized by the Kazys Varnelis House-Museum of the National Museum of Lithuania, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vilnius, and Knygų šalis (“Book Country”).
The display will be open from March 5 to May 25, 2025.

For more information about the competition winners: click here.

Photo by: Silvestras Samsonas, LNM