Prizewinner 2009

Per Petterson (born 1952) is amongst Norway’s most recognized and popular authors. He has previously been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 1997 for his novel ‘Til Siberien’ and he achieved international status winning a number of prizes for his novel 'Ut å stjæle hester' (2003).

"The protagonist in the novel describes his experiences and his fragmented memories of several crises of life in his own family. In a poetic and quiet language Petterson brings across just how difficult it is to say to each other those things we feel are the most important," wrote the Adjudication Committee.

"The protagonist in the novel describes his experiences and his fragmented memoirs with several crises of life in his own family. In a poetic and quiet language Petterson brings across how difficult it is to say what feels like the most important things to say to each other.

The Literature Prize, worth DKK 350,000, will be presented to Per Petterson in late October 2009 during the Nordic Council Session in Stockholm. The Nordic Council Literature Prize has been awarded since 1962.

Read more about Per Petterson

Read an interview with the author

Read Per Petterson's speech of thanks for the prize giving ceremony in Stockholm

Watch the video from the awards ceremony and the interview with the prize winner (Youtube)