Press release -
Guus Kuijer receives the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
In a ceremony today at the Stockholm Concert Hall, Dutch author Guus Kuijer was presented with the 2012 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) by HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
In his acceptance speech, Kuijer said: “A boy once told me that reading was like bungee jumping inside his head. So I wish you all a great bungee jumping season.”
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was presented in a formal ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall in front of 900 invited guests. The award ceremony, a homage to Guus Kuijer and his work, featured appearances by First Aid Kit, Virpi Pahkinen, George and Sarah Riedel, and others. HRH Crown Princess Victoria presented Kuijer with the award in the presence of Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth, Sweden’s minister for culture, and Kerstin Brunnberg, chair of the Swedish Arts Council.
“Literature can set our minds free. It can be joyful and it can give us strength to carry on in times of sorrow. It can open our hearts to others”, said Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth.
Guus Kuijer, born 1942, is an author living and working in the Netherlands. He made his debut as a children’s writer in 1975 and has since published over 30 titles, mostly aimed at readers entering their teenage years. Key works include Het boek van alle dingen (2004, The Book of Everything). Kuijer is the recipient of numerous awards, and his books have been translated into more than 10 languages including English, Swedish, German, Italian and Japanese.
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award has a value of SEK 5 million (approx. 550 000 EUR), making it the world’s largest prize for children’s and young adult literature.
Press kits containing images, text and video are available at www.thenewsmarket.com/alma and www.mynewsdesk.com/se/pressroom/alma.
More information
Helene Andersson, Communications Officer
Phone: +46 8 519 264 10 17, +46 76 540 10 17
E-mail: helene.andersson@alma.se
Rebecka Svensén, Communications Officer
Phone: +46 8 519 264 10 20, +46 76 540 10 20
E-mail: rebecka.svensen@alma.se
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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.
