Press Release March 17, 2010 For immediate release
World’s Largest Children’s Literature Award: From Vimmerby to the World
On March 24, 13.00 CET, the recipient or recipients of the 2010 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award will be announced from Astrid Lindgren’s childhood home, in the small town Vimmerby, in the south of Sweden. The announcement will be broadcasted live to the world’s largest children’s book fair in Bologna, Italy, as well as online on www.alma.se starting 12.55 CET.
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is the world’s largest award for children’s literature. It was instituted by the Swedish Government in honour of Astrid Lindgren, author of popular children’s classics such as Pippi Longstocking and The Brothers Lionheart. Now, the 5 million SEK award (approx 480, 000 Euro) rewards authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and promoters of reading world wide, working in the spirit of Astrid Lindgren.
“The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is designed to promote interest in children's and young adult literature, and in children's rights, globally. The attention created by the award enables the recipients work to cross boundaries of culture and language. For example, the 2009 recipient, the Tamer Institute, have had opportunities to present their methods of reading promotion to audiences around the world. Our hope is that this year’s winner will have the same chance of reaching new audiences” says Erik Titusson, director of the award.
If you wish to book interviews with representatives of the jury, award office or previous winners, contact the award office: [email protected] or call +46 (0)76-540 10 17. Photos and video from the announcement will be made available at the award website on March 24.
The previous recipients of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award are: Tamer Institute for Community Education (Palestinian Territories, 2009), Sonya Hartnett (Australia, 2008) Banco del Libro (Venezuela, 2007) Katherine Paterson (USA, 2006), Ryoji Arai (Japan 2005), Philip Pullman (Great Britain, 2005), Lygia Bojunga (Brazil, 2004), Christine Nöstlinger (Austria, 2003) and Maurice Sendak (USA, 2003).
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the world's largest prize for children's and young adult literature. The award, which amounts to SEK 5 million, is awarded annually to a single recipient or to several. Authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and those active in reading promotion may be rewarded. The award is designed to promote interest in children's and young adult literature, and in children's rights, globally. An expert jury selects the winners from candidates nominated by institutions and organisations worldwide. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is administered by the Swedish Arts Council.