World's Biggest Children's Literature Award Presented

For immediate release:

World's Biggest Children's Literature Award Presented in Stockholm, Sweden

Tonight June 2 the Tamer Institute for Community Education, working on the West Bank and Gaza, receive the five milion SEK (approx 460, 000 EUR) Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. The Award is presented by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

The Award was instituted in memory of Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, who has written, amongst other children's books, Pippi Longstocking. It is presented for the seventh year and has previously been received by Sonya Hartnett (Australia), Philip Pullman (Great Britain) and Maurice Sendak (USA) amongst others. It honours authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and promoters of reading working in the spirit of Astrid Lindgren.

For interviews and press accreditation contact agnes.lidbeck@alma.se or+46 (0)76 - 540 10 53. For free video footage of Award Ceremony visit www.thenewsmarket.com/alma. For free still photographs visit http://www.alma.se/en/Press/Press-pictures/2009-Tamer-Institute/

Tamer Institute for Community Education:
The Tamer Institute for Community Education in Ramallah is an independent organisation that has carried out reading promotion work for children and young people in West Bank and Gaza since 1989. The Tamer Institute was founded to give children access to books and alternative learning as children's and young people's schooling, leisure time and lives suffered from the troubles in the area.They are rewarded for their reading promotion work which isof extraordinary breadth. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award jury reasons:

With perseverance, audacity and resourcefulness, the Tamer Institute has, for two decades, stimulated Palestinian children's and young adults' love of reading - and their creativity. Under difficult circumstances, the Institute carries out reading promotion of an unusual breadth and versatility. In the spirit of Astrid Lindgren, the Tamer Institute acknowledges the power of words and the strength of books, stories and imagination as important keys to self-esteem, tolerance and the courage to face life.

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award:
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the world's largest prize for children's and young people's literature. The prize totals SEK 5 million and is awarded annually to a single recipient or to several. Authors, illustrators, storytellers and those active in reading promotion may be rewarded. The prize aims to strengthen and increase interest in children's and young people's literature globally. The award is designed to strengthen children's rights at global level. An expert jury names prize-winners who are nominated by institutions and organisations worldwide. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is administered by the Swedish Arts Council.