The betting companies do not care who is appointed as the Almapristagare of the year today. The media does not speculate in advance – and for the ordinary reader, the prize winner is often a relatively unknown name.
But for the winners, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award can be life-changing. Last year, the prize went to the reading-promoting organization Indigenous Literacy Foundation in Australia – which is active in 427 different indigenous communities in the country.
It's astonishing. We are a small organization and to receive a prestigious prize for something we love to do every day, it leaves us speechless, said CEO Ben Bower to TT after the announcement.
"I'm so happy"
The year before, it was the American young adult author Laurie Halse Anderson who received the call from the Almapris jury.
I thought they had made a mistake. I don't know if the shock will ever wear off. Being nominated for the Almapriset is just such a gift and an honor, and to get it – I'm so happy, she said to TT over the phone.
Established internationally
Partly, it is naturally due to the size of the prize – the prize sum of five million kronor makes it the world's largest children's and young adult literature prize. But in children's and young adult book circles, the prize has also become established internationally over time.
This year, 265 candidates from 72 countries have been nominated for the Almapriset. Among the names mentioned as possible winners are the Italian children's book author Beatrice Alemagna, the British illustrator Quentin Blake, and Swedish authors such as the couple Anna-Clara and Thomas Tidholm and Pettson and Findus "dad" Sven Nordqvist.
Just like in recent years, Russian authors are missing from the nomination list after a recommendation from the government, due to the war in Ukraine. Three Ukrainian authors, on the other hand, have a chance to win the prize.
When Astrid Lindgren passed away in 2002, the government established an international prize in her name to increase interest in children's and young adult literature worldwide. The prize's name is shortened to Alma after the English Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
The prize sum is five million kronor, making it the world's largest of its kind. The person or organization that receives the prize should work in Astrid Lindgren's spirit and uphold democratic values. The winner is chosen by a jury consisting of twelve people.
The five most recent winners:
2024 Indigenous Literacy Foundation, Australia
2023 Laurie Halse Anderson, USA
2022 Eva Lindström, Sweden
2021 Jean-Claude Mourlevat, France
2020 Baek Heena, South Korea
