Prijs der Nederlandse Letteren


The Prijs der Nederlandse Letteren is awarded every three years to an author from the Netherlands, Belgium or, since 2005, Suriname writing in Dutch. It is considered the most prestigious literary award in the Dutch-speaking world, and the award is presented alternately by the reigning Dutch and Belgian monarchs.
The €40,000 prize is administered by the Taalunie. The jury comprises three Dutch members, three Flemish members and one from Suriname. The chair alternates between a Flemish and Dutch jury member.
Until 2001 the prize was awarded alternately to a Flemish and a Dutch author. Subsequently, the four winners have all been Dutch; but the winner for 2012, Leonard Nolens, is Flemish.

List of winners