Press release -
Laureates Jean-Claude Mourlevat and Baek Heena accepted the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
Tonight on May 31, the laureates of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2020 and 2021 were celebrated at a digital award ceremony from Stockholm. The award was presented by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and the Minister for Culture and Democracy Amanda Lind who gave speeches for the two laureates.
The 2021 laureate, French author Jean-Claude Mourlevat, began his acceptance speech with a few sentences in Swedish before talking about his reaction to being awarded the prize:
“Since the announcement two months ago, I keep wondering: why me? I feel proud and happy, of course, but at the same time I feel like hiding in a hole, deep in the forest, like Jefferson, my little hedgehog. Because it's so moving, and so overwhelming.”
Korean picture book artist Baek Heena, who received the 2020 award, was also clearly moved when she gave her acceptance speech:
“I believe that children's picture books can be the key that opens the door to a happy childhood. This award convinced me to stick to what I believe and go for it ”.
H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden presented the award diplomas and gave a speech on the importance of literature for young people. From the Crown Princess speech:
“Historically, literature for children has not always been as highly regarded as literature for adults. And yet, we know that those whose images and words can find their way into a child’s heart and mind – who can spur their imagination – those artists and authors can change entire lives.”
Minister for Culture and Democracy Amanda Lind praised the laureates in her speech:
“Over the past year, literature has helped us to find hope in a world turned upside down by the corona pandemic. All of us have been affected, children and young people are not an exception. For younger generations all across the world, Literature, Culture and the Arts have served as means to explore the world from the inside of their homes – and to find new worlds, that can give them comfort and joy.”
The host of the evening was journalist and podcaster Amie Bramme Sey. Claire Parsons Dance Company presented interpretations of the laureates works. Boel Westin, Chair of the Jury, read the laureate’s motivations and the viewers also heard young voices from all over the world who were interviewed about their favourite books.
Baek Heena's diploma is illustrated by Matilda Ruta and Maja Zetterberg and Jean-Claude Mourlevat's diploma is created by Kristin Lidström and Henning Trollbäck.
For more information, please contact
Mariella Kucer, Communications Officer
Tel: +46 76 540 10 17
Email: mariella.kucer@alma.se
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The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is the world's largest award for children's and young adult literature. The award, which amounts to SEK 5 million, is given annually to a single laureate or to several. Authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and reading promoters are eligible. The award is designed to promote interest in children's and young adult literature. The UN convention of rights of the child is the foundation of our work. An expert jury selects the laureate(s) from candidates nominated by institutions and organisations all over the world. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was founded by the Swedish government in 2002 and is administrated by the Swedish Arts Council.
