Astrid Lindgren Prize awarded in Sweden

STOCKHOLM. On Tuesday, March 31, in the capital of Sweden, the International Literary Prize in memory of Astrid Lindgren for 2015, awarded since 2002 for contribution to the development of children’s and youth literature, was awarded. According to the chairman of the international jury, Buell Westin, the winner of the prestigious award this year was the charitable organization PRAESA from the Republic of South Africa.

PRAESA is the abbreviation for an alternative study program in South Africa, in Cape Town. The project, organized in 1992, gradually grew into a large organization, PRAESA, which educates children through children’s literary creativity, but at the same time prevents them from forgetting their native language. Through the established network of book clubs, the organization works closely with volunteers and scholars, thanks to whom many children’s books in different languages are spoken in South Africa.

It is worth noting that this year 197 applications from 61 countries of the world were submitted for the award, including works by children’s writers, illustrators and various organizations aimed at working with children and adolescents. From Russia, the writer Arthur Givargizov, illustrators Igor Oleinikov and Sergey Lyubaev, as well as the children’s book bus “Bumper” (book studio) claimed the award.

Recall that the Astrid Lindgren International Literature Prize, awarded for achievements in children’s and youth literature, was founded by the Swedish government in 2002 in memory of the famous child writer Astrid Lindgren. Having established the award, the Swedish government thereby showed a sign of attention and deep respect to the writer, who is considered to this day one of the most beloved and read not only in Sweden itself, but also abroad. It was from her pen that the famous trilogy “Baby and Carlson” and many other equally well-known books came out; Astrid’s works have been translated into more than 80 languages of the world.

The ALMA (The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award) is today considered one of the most prestigious and major international awards in the field of literature for children and adolescents. The prize fund of the prize is SEK 5 million, which is equivalent to 700 thousand US dollars.

Svetlana Korableva © Gallerix.ru