The KANTL annually awards a literary prize in the categories of Prose, Poetry, Essay, and Children's and Young Adult Literature. Additionally, the Academy stimulates scientific research in Flanders with a scientific prize in four categories: publications on the cultural Flemish movement (Leon Elaut Prize), linguistics, the study of older language, literature, and culture in the Low Countries (Leonard Willem Prize), and literary studies.
The laureate for each prize is chosen at the end of a four-year cycle from the four nominated works of the preceding years. This year, it is the turn of the Essay Prize and the Leonard Willem Prize.
Dutch philosopher Joke Hermsen wins the quadrennial KANTL Prize for Essay with her essay collection Tijd is hoop. The jury appreciated how Hermsen brings together various essays on the theme of time into a cohesive whole, featuring a fundamentally new introduction and strong thematic coherence.
The other nominees for the Essay Prize were: Zelf doen by Niña Weijers (Atlas Contact, 2022), Doe zelf normaal by Maxim Februari (Prometheus, 2023), and Crudités by Anneke Brassinga (De Bezige Bij, 2024).
Previous winners of the Essay Prize include Cyrille Offermans (2022), Thijs Lijster (2018), Eric de Kuyper (2013), Stefan Hertmans (2008), and Jan de Roder (2003).
