With the participation of more than 300 representatives from the book industry—including authors, publishers, translators, illustrators, and artists—the 2026 Public Book Awards were held on Monday, June 15, at the Athens Concert Hall
According to the press release, the awards, now in their 13th year, honored winners in 13 categories, reaffirming their role as a benchmark for the country’s literary and publishing community. Before the awards ceremony, the audience attended the Olympia Dialogues, featuring Andreas Athanasopoulos and the distinguished British historian and author Sir Roderick Beaton discussing history, culture, and the significance of books in the modern era.
The discussion centered on his deep connection to Greece, the timeless power of the Greek language and the Homeric world, as well as the way in which major cultural transitions influence knowledge and memory.
Roderick Beaton spoke about his first trip to Greece at the age of just 14, his simultaneous discovery of the ancient Greek language, and the fascination Greek culture held for him. The discussion expanded to the relationship between oral tradition and writing, the historical reservations that accompanied the invention of writing, and current concerns surrounding Artificial Intelligence.
The distinguished Hellenist emphasized that every technological tool is ultimately judged by how it is used, while placing particular emphasis on the importance of the book as a physical object and as a medium of profound human communication, stressing that reading remains an irreplaceable way of understanding the world and ourselves. He also made special mention of the need to renew the European ideal, arguing that Greece, as a cornerstone of the values of the rule of law and equality before the law, can play a leading role in shaping the Europe of the future.
This was followed by a presentation of research findings on the reading habits of Greeks by Sofia Protonotariou, Managing Director of the research firm Truberries. A rare, data-driven look at how we read today, what we choose to read, and what motivates us to open a book.
Even more thought-provoking and equally timely was the discussion that followed, on the topic “Artificial Intelligence & Copyright: The New Boundaries of Creativity.” The panel, moderated by journalist Apostolos Mangiriadis, featured Professor and Dean of the UNIC Athens Law School Irini Stamatoudi, Public’s Commercial Director for Books, Christos Giannakopoulos, and the Director of OSEL, Georgandreos Zannos.
The discussion highlighted the major challenges accompanying the advent of Artificial Intelligence in the world of books and creative writing. Christos Giannakopoulos referred to changes in reading habits, characterized primarily by a lack of time and attention, but also by readers’ need to seek out communities and experiences that offer identity and escapism through books.
For his part, Georgios Andreas Zannos pointed out that, despite the new possibilities offered by technology, human creativity, experience, and imagination remain irreplaceable, while he emphasized that the printed book continues to hold a dominant position, particularly in the learning process.
Eirini Stamatoudi focused on the issue of copyright, noting that creativity is a uniquely human trait and that works produced exclusively by artificial intelligence systems cannot enjoy the same legal protection.
A common theme of the discussion was the need for transparency, clear rules, and the responsible use of technology, so that innovation supports creation rather than undermining it.
The best books were selected based on 200,000 reader votes
In an era when time is divided between screens and notifications, this fact alone speaks volumes about Greeks’ relationship with books.
The Public Bookstore Awards were presented by the staff of the 63 stores—the people who know the reading public better than anyone else, because they interact with them every day.
In summary, the top winners in each category of the 2026 Public Book Awards:
- Greek Children’s Literature: Welcome to the World You Feel, by Marios Mazaris, Illustrated by Missy Merida & Ourania Lyberopoulou, Metaixmio Publications
- The award was presented by Ms. Sofia Zacharaki, Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports.
- Greek Teen Literature: Seven Plus One Stories About a Girl, by Nikoleta Kapilla, Kedros Publications
- The award was presented by Mr. George Pomaski, Federal Track and Field Coach.
- Eu Zin: You Are a Woman, Eleftherios Eleftheriadis, Psychogios Publications
- The award was presented by Ms. Niki Lami, Actress.
- Greek Short Story: Letters to the Virgin Mary, Kyriakos Charitos, Patakis Publications
- The award was presented by Ms. Elena Karakouli, author and director.
- Debut Author: *Rec*, Giorgos Syrmas, Ikaros Publications
- The award was presented by Ms. Maria Efthymiu, author of history books and Professor Emerita of History at the University of Athens.
- Contemporary Greek Poetry: *Punctum*, Maria Kant (Kantonidou), Gutenberg Publications
- The award was presented by Ms. Maria Papageorgiou, musician and author.
- Audiobook: Emmanouil Karalis: When You Look Down from Above, Nikos Michalopoulos, Narrated by Aimilios Cheilakis, Dioptra Publications, Bookvoice.gr
- The award was presented by Mr. Vangelis Avgoulas, Founder and President of the non-profit organization “Me Alla Matia” and Attorney.
- Greek Non-Fiction: An Egyptian, a Babylonian, and a Viking Walk into a Bar, Theodoros Papakostas, Key Books
- The award was presented by Sir Roderick Beaton, Author, Historian, and Professor Emeritus at King’s College London.
- Translated Novel: The Brothers Karamazov, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Translated by Eleni Bakopoulou, Agra Publications
- The award was presented by Mr. Theodoros Katsafados, Actor.
- Greek Novel: And There Was Light, by Stefanos Alexiadis, published by Minos
- The award was presented by Ms. Athina Maximou, actress and author.
- Publishing Imprint: Agra Publications
- The award was presented by Mr. Dimitris Galanis, CEO of Public Group.
- PUBLIC Bookstores Award – Greek Children’s Book: My Name Is Aria, by Aria Papanikolaou, Illustrated by Paraskevi Hatzopoulou, Psychogios Publications
- The award was presented by Ms. Stavroula Sarantea, Store Manager of Public in Corinth, and Ms. Anastasia Mylonakou, Entertainment Sales Lead at Public Golden Hall.
- PUBLIC Bookstores Award – Greek Novel / Contemporary Greek Fiction: The Fall of Athens by the Gargara Sisters, Yannis Xanthoulis, Dioptra Publications
- The award was presented by Ms. Fotini Mouratidou, Entertainment Sales Lead at the Public store in Katerini, and Mr. Yiannis Lymberopoulos, Entertainment Sales Lead at the Public store in Glyfada.
The “Publishing Impact” Award
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the “Publishing Footprint” award by Dimitris Galanis, CEO of Public Group. The six-member judging panel evaluated a publishing house’s philosophy, consistency, quality, and cultural impact over time. “Behind every timeless book, there is always someone who believed in it first. That person is the publisher. The one who read a manuscript, saw something remarkable in it, and decided to give it a voice. That choice shapes our culture,” said Mr. Galanis, adding “I would like to thank the 2,000 people at Public who devote their energy every day to ensuring books reach everywhere. We honor the publisher, who through his work leaves his mark on all of us.”
This year, the award was presented to Agra Publications. According to the jury, which consisted of Ms. Victoria Fassianou, President of the Alekos Fassianos Estate and the “Alekos Fassianos” Museum, and Mr. Polydoros Karyophyllis, Visual Artist, Exhibition Curator, and Founding Director of the Athens Biennale; Mr. Alexandros Diakosavvas, Journalist and Artistic Director of the Thessaloniki International Film and Documentary Festival; Ms. Marianna Kalbari, director, writer, and artistic director of the Karolos Koun Art Theater, Ms. Angela Kastrinaki, Professor of Modern Greek Literature in the Department of Philology at the University of Crete and Director of the series “Old Texts, New Readings” series published by the University of Crete Press, and Ms. Georgia Karantona, Ph.D. candidate in Children’s and Adolescent Literature at the Department of Early Childhood Education of the University of Thessaly and Director of the Greek Children’s Library of London: “Looking ahead to 2025, Agra’s publishing legacy stems from its consistent commitment to high-quality literature, meticulous translation, and the quality of the book itself.
With selections that have lasting appeal, cultural significance, and reading value beyond the current moment, Agra remains committed to publishing projects of substance. A case in point is the new translation of *The Brothers Karamazov*. A demanding book that reaffirms the publisher’s consistency and distinctive character.”
Behind this institution lies a 20-year presence in the book industry. With 63 stores in Greece and Cyprus and 2,000 employees, Public does not observe its readership from a distance. It engages with them.
The Public Book Awards, a well-established institution with a positive response rate of 87% among the Greek public according to a recent survey, are the natural extension of this relationship: a commitment to books, their creators, the people who love them, and the promotion of a culture of reading, according to the announcement.