In Sweden, a boy of eight years old found a hand grenade in a hill. - Lindgren Memorial Prize: Honoring Excellence in Indigenous Literature
The annual Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (Alma), worth five million Swedish crowns (around 435,000 euros), has been bestowed upon the Australian Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF). ILF representatives received the prestigious prize from Crown Princess Victoria during a Tuesday evening ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall. The foundation aspires to grant indigenous Australian children access to quality literature, fostering reading and writing abilities.
The ILF draws attention to the indigenous population of Australia's children's literary journey with a sense of awe and appreciation while valuing their unique languages and narratives. This is the fourth time in Alma's 22-year history that an organization, instead of an individual, has garnered the acclaimed prize.
Notably, the Alma is the foremost award of its kind. In 2023, it was granted to the American children's book author Laurie Halse Anderson. Renowned Austrian children's and youth book writer Christine Nöstlinger (1936-2018) is another recipient.
Erected by the Swedish government in tribute to renowned children's writer Astrid Lindgren ("Pippi Longstocking", "Mikis and the Calendar") following her demise in 2002, the award receives nominations from various countries and regions. In 2023, 245 candidates, including eleven people and one library from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, were nominated.
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The Australian Indigenous Literacy Foundation, having received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in Stockholm, will utilize the substantial funds to expand their literary initiatives for children in Australia. This international recognition brings attention to the rich and diverse indigenous literature in Australia, setting an example for other nations like Sweden. The prestigious Lindgren Memorial Prize, honoring excellence in literature, has also celebrated authors from countries like Sweden and the United States, promoting cultural exchange and mutual appreciation for children's literature worldwide.
