OREANDA-NEWS. On 05 May 2009 was announced, that books printed by the stock company Preses Nams won awards in four categories during the Golden Apple Tree 2008 competition, which focuses on art design for books.  The categories were translated literature, textbooks, catalogues, and scientific books.  In the first of these categories, the prize was won by a Latvian translation of Boccaccio’s “Decameron.”  The title of most beautiful textbook was received by a series of books, “Library of Studies.”  The best catalogue was “As Latvia Emerged: Art and the Era From de facto to de iure,” which was edited by Aija Braslina.  Finally, the award went to Edvins Liepins’ and Dainis Seregins’ “From Leutner to Erenpreis,” which was declared to be the best scientific book.  Preses Nams wins awards from this professional competition each year.

“This is a competition which helps us to appreciate the contributions made by Latvian book publishers, and we are constantly trying to raise the bar in terms of quality,” says Preses Nams board chairman Igors Stepanovs.  “We’re proud of the fact that each year we receive praise from specialists in the sector for the diverse opportunities that we offer and for the quality of our work.  This year we are particularly proud, because the books that received nominations or awards demonstrated the technical capabilities of Preses Nams – ones which have allowed the authors and designers of books to implement their ideas at a much higher level than before.”

Preses Nams received nominations in nine of this year’s 12 Golden Apple Tree 2008 categories.  Of the 45 books that were nominated, the largest number – 16 – were printed by Preses Nams.

Preses Nams is the largest printing company in the Baltic States and a leader in the sector in this region.  In the summer of 2008, Preses Nams opened a new printing facility in the village of Silakrogs, with total investments of LVL 13.5 million.  By this, Preses Nams became one of the 300 largest book printing companies in the world.  The leading shareholder in Preses Nams is LASCO Investment, which is a subsidiary of the Latvian Shipping Company.  It holds 95.4% of shares in the company.