Vienna/Zurich – Author and theater director Ivna Žic has been awarded the WORTMELDUNGEN Ulrike Crespo Literature Prize for her essay, “Die Unversehrten” (“The Unimpaired”). The €35,000 prize recognizes short literary texts that critically engage with current societal issues. Žic’s work, deeply personal and intellectually rigorous, explores the experience of living with Long Covid and its broader implications for health, migration, and economic systems.
Born in Zagreb in 1986, Žic currently lives and works in Vienna and Zurich. She is a prolific writer, working across prose, essays, and theater, and also translates from English and Croatian. The award acknowledges not only the literary merit of “Die Unversehrten” but also Žic’s consistent exploration of complex themes in her body of work, which includes the acclaimed novel “Die Nachkommende” and the essay collection “Wahrscheinliche Herkünfte.”
Žic’s essay delves into the challenges of navigating life with Long Covid, a condition characterized by persistent symptoms following an initial Covid-19 infection. The jury praised the work for its ability to “connect risk with openness, urgency with high literariness,” noting that “no sentence is accidental, and yet the text remains incredibly fluid.” The essay moves beyond the immediate physical experience of illness to examine the systemic factors that exacerbate vulnerability, including precarious living conditions and unequal access to healthcare.
The jury’s statement highlights how Žic’s writing reflects on the intersection of personal biography, concepts of societal expectations, and the realities of migration and economic hardship. She connects experiences of studying abroad and traveling in the United States with the challenges of navigating a healthcare system that doesn’t adequately serve everyone, and the broader questions surrounding migration driven by conflict.
Exploring Long Covid and Systemic Issues
“Die Unversehrten” isn’t simply a personal account of illness; it’s a literary exploration of how chronic illness exposes deeper societal fractures. Žic’s work, as recognized by the prize, offers a critical perspective on the impact of neoliberal health policies and the limitations of a system that often fails to provide adequate care for those most in necessitate. The essay frames Long Covid not just as a medical condition, but as a lens through which to examine broader issues of social justice and economic inequality.
Žic’s previous work has also garnered significant recognition. Her debut novel, “Die Nachkommende” (Matthes & Seitz Berlin, 2019), was nominated for both the Swiss and Austrian Book Prizes and received the Anna-Seghers-Preis in 2020 and the Conrad-Ferdinand-Meyer-Preis in 2022. Her essay collection, “Wahrscheinliche Herkünfte” (Matthes & Seitz Berlin, 2023), was awarded a Swiss Literature Prize in 2024. Her theatrical work is performed throughout the German-speaking world.
Award Ceremony Details
The WORTMELDUNGEN Ulrike Crespo Literature Prize is awarded by the Crespo Foundation, and this year marks the ninth iteration of the award. The jury for 2026 includes Alice Hasters, Bernadette La Hengst, Kathrin Röggla, Christoph Steier, Gerhild Steinbuch, Felix Trautmann, and Beate Tröger. The award ceremony will capture place on June 12th in Frankfurt am Main.
The prize recognizes the power of literature to illuminate critical social issues and provide a platform for voices often marginalized. Žic’s work, with its unflinching honesty and intellectual depth, exemplifies this commitment. As the conversation around Long Covid continues to evolve, “Die Unversehrten” promises to be a significant contribution to the discourse, prompting further reflection on the individual and collective challenges of living in a world marked by uncertainty and inequality.
The recognition of Žic’s work underscores the growing importance of literary explorations of health and illness. As research into Long Covid continues and its long-term effects become clearer, artistic interpretations like Žic’s will be crucial in fostering empathy, understanding, and a more just and equitable approach to healthcare.
Disclaimer: This article provides information about a literary award and the themes explored in the winning essay. We see not intended to provide medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms of Long Covid or any other health concern, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional.
What are your thoughts on the intersection of literature and public health? Share your comments below.
