Tre barn sitter ner och håller böcker i händerna

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.

Media

Images and films of the laureate and from the announcement are available in our international newsroom.

Pictures from the 2020 announcement

Två personer vid ståbord som håller tal. — **Swedish Minister for Culture and Democracy Amanda Lind, and host Stefan Ingvarsson.** Photo: Matilda Rahm/Kulturhuset Stadsteatern

Kvinna pratar i mikrofon. — **Chair of the Jury, Boel Westin read the motivation in Swedish, English and French.** Photo: Matilda Rahm/Kulturhuset Stadsteatern

En man i kostym pratar i mikrofon, — **Jury member Mårten Sandén gave a brief introduction to the 2021 laureate.** Photo: Matilda Rahm/Kulturhuset Stadsteatern

Ett barn ligger i en soffa och läser en bok, — **The young reader Loa Kucer.** Photo: Matilda Rahm/Kulturhuset Stadsteatern

Porträttbild på en man i grå tröja och handen på hakan

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