Christos Tsiolkas wins the $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Literature 2021

·

Christos Tsiolkas has been crowned the winner of the $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Literature 2021 for his body of work, which has made an outstanding contribution to Australian literature and to cultural and intellectual life.

Tsiolkas has written a number of novels, plays and screenplays, including Dead Europe, The Slap, Barracuda, Damascus, and a short-story collection, Merciless Gods. Just last week, he also released his latest novel, 7½.

READ MORE: Christos Tsiolkas named finalist of Melbourne Prize for Literature.

Christos Tsiolkas at the ceremony. Photo: SMH.

At the online awards ceremony on Wednesday night, Tsiolkas paid tribute to his parents, saying his writing had been built on their sacrifices and struggles after they migrated from Greece to Melbourne.

The other writers shortlisted for the prize were poets PiO and Jodie Albiston, and children’s writer, poet and memoirist Maxine Beneba Clarke.

In a statement, Victoria’s Minister for Creative Industries, Danny Pearson MP congratulated the winners and finalists of the Prize and encouraged people to include the novels in their “summer reading list.”

READ MORE: Christos Tsiolkas behind new opera on murder of George Duncan.

“Thank you to the Melbourne Prize Trust for once again shining a light on our brightest creative minds and continuing to back creative careers – this support is more important than ever,” Minister Pearson said.

On the night, Evelyn Araluen was also named winner of the inaugural $20,000 Professional Development Award 2021 and Eloise Grills won the $15,000 Writer’s Prize 2021.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Largest Greek flag raised in Crete for OXI Day

The largest Greek flag was once again hoisted in the port of Irakleio, Crete, on Tuesday to mark Greece’s annual OXI Day.

Hurricane Melissa devastates Jamaica as island faces ‘storm of the century’

Hurricane Melissa has battered Jamaica after making landfall near New Hope early Wednesday as a Category 5 storm.

Greece marks OXI Day with military parade in Thessaloniki

Greece commemorated OXI Day on Tuesday, with the annual military parade in Thessaloniki, marking the nation’s entry into World War II.

Israel launches air strikes after accusing Hamas of violating ceasefire

Israel ordered fresh air strikes on Gaza on Tuesday, October 28, after accusing Hamas of breaching a US-brokered ceasefire.

Greece said ‘no’ to Italians in WWII, but answered to a Roman name

On OXI Day, The Greek Herald reflects on how one word - “No” - continues to shape identity, language and belonging.

You May Also Like

From Pappou to Dad: How Greek Australian fathers shape generations

The first unofficial Father’s Day acknowledged by the history books was on July 5, 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia.

Head of Australia’s Olympic team encourages Nick Kyrgios to go to Tokyo

The head of Australia’s Olympic team has encouraged Nick Kyrgios to compete at the Tokyo Games after the tennis star expressed reservations.

How Elisse Alexander’s new app is leading a dating revolution

For Elisse Alexander, co-founder of Australia’s newest dating app Ziinkle, romance can't be derived from digital interactions alone.