The time has come at last for the 2021 and 2020 laureates, author Jean-Claude Mourlevat of France and picture book artist Baek Heena of the Republic of Korea, to be formally honored and presented with their awards. The award ceremony will take place on Monday, May 31 at 7 p.m., hosted by Swedish Minister for Culture and Democracy Amanda Lind and H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is one of Sweden’s foremost literary prizes and with a prize of five million Swedish kronor (approx. EUR 462k, GBP 400k, USD 550k) it is the largest award of its kind. This global award has been given annually since 2003 to a person or organisation for their outstanding contribution to children’s and young adult literature. Owing to the pandemic restrictions, the 2021 award ceremony will be digital. The ceremony will be broadcast from Stockholm, and will take viewers on a journey into the works of the laureates and introduce them to young readers from all over the world. The digital award ceremony is open to all, with required pre-registration at alma.se.
“This year we aren’t limited by the size of the hall, so we are happy to welcome viewers from around the world to become acquainted with Jean-Claude Mourlevat’s profound writing and Baek Heena’s incredible visual universe,” says Suzi Ersahin, director for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden will present the diplomas and Swedish Minister for Culture and Democracy Amanda Lind will give a speech to the laureates. Journalist and podcaster Amie Bramme Sey will guide viewers through the ceremony, accompanied by the award-winning dance company Claire Parsons Co.
