The World's Largest Children's Literature Award

Award Week

2003 Christine Nöstlinger and Maurice Sendak

Award Ceremony Inspired by Brazil

It was a magical evening inspired by Brazil when this year's award winner Lygia Bojunga received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award from the hands of H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria.

Prime Minister Göran Persson, as well as both the Swedish and the Brasilian Ministers for Culture, took part in or attended the ceremony.

In her acceptance speech, Lygia Bojunga spoke of literature - and especially the works of Astrid Lindgren - as key in allowing children to grow into liberated, self-sufficient individuals.

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the world's largest prize for children's and young adult literature. The award, which amounts to SEK 5 million, is awarded annually to a single recipient or to several. Authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and those active in reading promotion may be rewarded. The award is designed to promote interest in children's and young adult literature, and in children's rights, globally. An expert jury selects the winners from candidates nominated by institutions and organisations worldwide. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is administered by the Swedish Arts Council, and was founded by the Swedish government in 2002.

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
Swedish Arts Council
P.O.Box 272 15
102 53 Stockholm

Visit: Borgvägen 1–5, Stockholm
Telephone: +46 (0)8-519 264 00
Fax: +46 (0)8-519 264 99
E-mail: literatureaward@alma.se