Announcing a new laureate
The 2021 laureate Jean-Claude Mourlevat was announced on March 30 in a live program from the library TioTretton in Stockholm.
For the nineteenth time, the jury has appointed a laureate who, in addition to the honor, will receive five million Swedish kronor. For the 2021 award, 262 candidates from 68 countries were nominated.
The announcement took place in the TioTretton library at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern in Stockholm, and was broadcast live. The chairman of the jury, Boel Westin, announced the jury's decision and read the motivation in Swedish, English and French. Swedish Minister of Culture and Democracy Amanda Lind gave a speech. Viewers heard the jury's phone call to the surprised laureate Jean-Claude Mourlevat and finally, jury member Mårten Sandén gave an introduction to his books. The event was hosted by cultural writer Stefan Ingvarsson.
Pictures from the 2020 announcement
Photo: Matilda Rahm/Kulturhuset Stadsteatern
Photo: Matilda Rahm/Kulturhuset Stadsteatern
Photo: Matilda Rahm/Kulturhuset Stadsteatern
Photo: Matilda Rahm/Kulturhuset Stadsteatern
Photo: Matilda Rahm/Kulturhuset Stadsteatern
A brilliant renewer of fairy tale traditions
Jean-Claude Mourlevat is one of France’s leading children and young adult authors. With a particular love for fairy tale, fable and fantasy, he draws on literary traditions to create worlds that resemble no other. Since his publishing debut in 1997, his books have been translated into nearly 30 languages.
Discover Jean-Claude Mourlevat