Helen Sigeland new Director of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award

– I´m really looking forward to work with the literature award. It´ll be exciting and great fun, says Helen Sigeland, Project Manager at the Swedish Arts Council.

Helen Sigeland has long experience in working with literature issues at an international level, at the Swedish Arts Council and the Swedish Institute. Today, she´s responsible for promotion of Swedish literature at an international level and translation support at the Swedish Arts Council. She attends the new position on January 1^st 2012.

–With Helen Sigeland’s knowledge we´ll get the competence we need for continuing to develop the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and make the award better known among the world’s children’s book authors and illustrators, says Kennet Johansson, Director General of the Swedish Arts Council.

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 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 illustrator Shaun Tan from Australia is this year’s recipient. Next year, in 2012, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is celebrating its 10^th anniversary.

Further information:

Helene Andersson, Information officer, Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award

Phone: +46-8-519 264 17

helene.andersson@alma.se

Helene Oljons, Press Secretary, Swedish Arts Council

Phone: +46-8-519 264 25

helene.oljons@kulturradet.se