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The ceremony at which this years' winners received their awards from HRH Crown Princess Victoria was both joyful and atmospheric. Both men made a powerful impression on the audience with their moving speeches.

Philip Pullman, HRH Crown Princess Victoria and Ryôji Arai.

Ryôji Arai referred directly to Astrid Lindgren, stating his intention to continue to create in order to "make Astrid happy…. to make the Children of Noisy Village happy." In honour of the occasion he had composed a special song to Astrid Lindgren, which he himself performed on stage to his own guitar accompaniment.

In his speech, Philip Pullman maintained that telling stories for children was the purest form of narration, since children neither fall for form nor finely-turned formulations. They want to know what happens next, and if a story fails to hold their attention, then quite simply they put it down. Philip Pullman also expressed the hope that he will be able to continue to write stories in the spirit of Astrid Lindgren, whom he praised for her considerable storytelling powers.

Kristina Rennerstedt, Director General of the Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs, and the Minister for Education and Culture Leif Pagrotsky both spoke about children's right to culture. They stressed the important part that reading plays in children's ability to grow up as enriched and independent citizens, something that is vital to all our futures.


Ryôji Arai receives the award from the hands of HRH Crown Princess Victoria.


Philip Pullman receives the award from the hands of HRH Crown Princess Victoria.

The prize ceremony took place in the open-air Museum of Skansen in Stockholm and was open to the public.

HRH Crown Princess Victoria handed over the award and Minister of Education, Research and Culture, Leif Pagrotsky, celebrated the prize winners together with Swedish artists such as: Georg Riedel och Stefan Nilsson, Tommy Körberg, Laleh, Rigmor Gustafsson, Svante Drake, Adolf Fredrik's Music School and the Royal Ballet who performed "Pippi Longstocking". Master of ceremonies was Lill Lindfors.

Arrival of HRH Crown Princess Victoria and Minister of Education, Research and Culture, Leif Pagrotsky.


HRH Crown Princess Victoria and Director General of The Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs, Kristina Rennerstedt.

Chairman of the Board of the Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs Anna Hedborg, Minister of Education, Research and Culture Leif Pagrotsky, Director of Skansen Anna-Greta Leijon och Director General of The Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs, Kristina Rennerstedt.

Pictures from the prize ceremony

Master of Ceremonies Lill Lindfors.


Director General of The Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs, Kristina Rennerstedt.

Minister of Education, Research and Culture, Leif Pagrotsky.


Adolf Fredrik's Music School


Prize winner's diploma.


Tommy Körberg and Adolf Fredrik's Music School.


Speech of thanks by Ryôji Arai.


Ryôji Arai sings his composed song "Hello Astrid".


Speech of thanks by Philip Pullman.


Philip Pullman


Laleh


Dancers from The Royal Swedish Ballet performed an extract from the new ballet Pippi Longstocking. Photo: Mats Näslund, SBI.

 
Svante Drake

Georg Riedel with orchestra, Lill Lindfors, Tommy Körberg, Rigmor Gustafsson, Svante Drake, Jacob Oxenborg and Laleh in closing ceremony.

Flags

 
Audiance in Skansen.

Skansen, Sollidenscenen.

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Contact the award office for pictures in high resolution format: literatureaward@alma.se

Photo: Lars-Erik Örthlund