Five Nordic Council Prizes awarded in Helsinki
Literature
The Nordic Council Literature Prize 2017 goes to the Danish author Kirsten Thorup for her novel Erindring om kærligheden (“Memories of Love”, not translated into English).
The adjudication committee rounded of its commendation with the words: “Erindring om kærligheden is a very dark and wise novel. It trawls great depths – the depths we all share – reaching parts only literature ever really reaches.”
Children and Young People's Literature
The Nordic Council's Children and Young People’s Literature Prize 2017 goes to the late Swedish author Ulf Stark and the Finnish illustrator Linda Bondestam for their book Djur som ingen sett utom vi ("Animals Nobody Has Seen Except Us", not translated into English). The Adjudication Committee had these fine words to say:
“Djur som ingen sett utom vi is Nordic co-operation in its finest form. Author Ulf Stark and illustrator Linda Bondestam have created a truly unique book.”
Film
The Nordic Council Film Prize goes to the Finnish director and screenwriter Selma Vilhunen and producers Kaarle Aho and Kai Nordberg for their film Little Wing. The Adjudication’s beautiful commendation begins with the words:
"In Little Wing Selma Vilhunen manages to capture big and fundamental emotions using very small gestures, and proves that she has a sensibility as a director and screenwriter beyond the ordinary.”
Music
The Nordic Council Music Prize 2017 goes to the Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki. In the words of the Adjudication Committee:
“Susanna Mälkki is a versatile and dedicated maestro of both the classical and contemporary repertoire. Having forged her own path through the world of classical music, she now ranks among the top international conductors.”
Environment
The Environment Prize 2017 goes to RePack because “its product turns the environment into a business opportunity, using accessible and innovative techniques to draw attention to opportunities for recycling and highlight the unnecessary use of resources and generation of waste.”
The DKK 350,000 Nordic Council prizes and statuettes were presented by former winners and other special guests in Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, during the 69th Session of the Nordic Council.
