Finding a laureate
The work to find the right laureate starts around 15 months earlier; in January when we open the process to nominate for next year's award. Below is a brief description of the process involved in choosing the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award laureate.
January – invitation to nominate
Approved nominating organisations are invited to nominate candidates for the following year. The invitation includes information on the number of candidates each nominating body can suggest, in what categories and so on.
May – deadline for submission
All information on the nominated candidate(s) for the award must reach the award office no later than the announced deadline. Late or incomplete nominations will not be accepted.
October – the candidates are presented
The list of nominated candidates is usually presented at the Frankfurt Book Fair in mid-October. The list is published on our website with additional information.
March/April – selecting the laureate
The new laureate is announced at a press conference immediately after the jury's last meeting. The press conference is broadcast live and, among others, presented at the Bologna Children's Book Fair.
May - the laureate receives the award
The laureate is invited to come to Sweden to take part in a week of ALMA events, including a public lecture, school visits and a trip to Astrid Lindgren’s childhood home in Vimmerby. The visit ends with the award ceremony in the Stockholm Concert Hall, in which H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria presents the award.
December - apply to become a nominator
Organisations wishing to become one of our nominating bodies can apply to the award office before December 1, by sending an email to nomination@alma.se along with a brief description. The jury decides upon the list of nominating bodies in December. If accepted, the organisation is then eligible to submit nominations for the following year, after the opening of the nomination process in January.
