Nordic Council Literature Prize


The Nordic Council Literature Prize is awarded for a work of literature written in one of the languages of the Nordic countries, that meets "high literary and artistic standards". Established in 1962, the prize is awarded every year, and is worth 350,000 Danish kroner. Eligible works are typically novels, plays, collections of poetry, short stories or essays, or other works that were published for the first time during the last four years, or in the case of works written in Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish, within the last two years. The prize is one of the most prestigious awards that Nordic authors can win.
The winner is chosen by an adjudication committee appointed by the Nordic Council. The committee consists of ten members, two each from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The committee members are generally experts in their own country's literature, as well as their neighbouring countries. In addition to the regular members, additional members may be added to the committee if works are nominated from Åland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or the Sami language area. Apart from the monetary award, the intent of the prize is also to "increase interest in the literature of neighbouring countries as well in Nordic cultural fellowship".

Committee members as of 2019

As of 2019 the jury consists of the following proper elected members
Additionally the jury includes deputy members, appointed members and ex officio members.

List of winners

The following is a complete list of recipients of the Nordic Council Literature Prize:
YearEnglish titleOriginal titleAuthorCountryRef
1962The Days of His GraceHans nådes tid
1963Under the North Star 3: ReconciliationTäällä Pohjantähden alla 3
1964The Ice PalaceIs-slottet
1965From Hell to ParadiseFrån Helvetet till Paradiset
1965The Good HopeDet gode Håb
1966Diwan on the Prince of EmgionDīwān över Fursten av Emgión
1967Nye novellerNye noveller
1968Flight of the EagleIngenjör Andrées luftfärd
1969The LegionnairesLegionärerna
1970Anna, I, AnnaAnna, jeg, Anna
1971Coast of Slaves, Ships of Slaves and Islands of SlavesSlavernes kyst, Slavernes skibe and Slavernes øer
1972Sju ord på tunnelbananSju ord på tunnelbanan
1973Kersantin poikaKersantin poika
1974Uden mål – og medUden mål – og med
1975Siinä näkijä missä tekijäSiinä näkijä missä tekijä
1976Að laufferjum and Að brunnumAð laufferjum and Að brunnum
1977I de mörka rummen, i de ljusaI de mörka rummen, i de ljusa
1978Dalen PortlandDalen Portland
1979PubertetPubertet
1980Vredens barnVredens barn
1981Hauströkkrið yfir mérHauströkkrið yfir mér
1982Samuels bokSamuels bok
1983Om fjorten dageOm fjorten dage
1984The Christmas OratorioJuloratoriet
1985A Day in OstrobothniaPohjanmaa
1986LíkasumLíkasum
1987Hudløs himmelHudløs himmel
1988Justice UndoneGrámosinn glóir
1989Roman 1987Roman 1987
1990For the Living and the DeadFör levande och döda
1991The Sun, My FatherBeaivi, áhčážan Sami language area
1992Night WatchMeðan nóttin líður
1993Byen og verdenByen og verden
1994BlackwaterHändelser vid vatten
1995Angels of the UniverseEnglar alheimsins
1996Hva skal vi gjøre i dag og andre novellerHva skal vi gjøre i dag og andre noveller
1997Bang. En roman om Herman BangBang. En roman om Herman Bang
1998After Having Spent a Night Among HorsesEfter att ha tillbringat en natt bland hästar
1999Queen's GateDronningeporten
2000DrømmebroerDrømmebroer
2001The DiscovererOppdageren
2002The Half BrotherHalvbroren
2003RevbensstädernaRevbensstäderna
2004JuoksuhaudantieJuoksuhaudantie
2005The Blue FoxSkugga-Baldur
2006The OceanOceanen
2007DrömfakultetenDrömfakulteten
2008BaboonBavian
2009I Curse the River of TimeJeg forbanner tidens elv
2010PurgePuhdistus
2011Between the TreesMilli trjánna
2012Days in the History of SilenceDager i stillhetens historie
2013The Prophets of Eternal FjordProfeterne fra Evighedsfjorden
2014Mirage 38Hägring 38
2015Andvake, Olavs draumar and KveldsvævdAndvake, Olavs draumar and KveldsvævdJon Fosse
2016Songs and FormulaeSånger och formlerKatarina Frostenson
2017Memories of LoveErindring om kærligheden
2018Hotel SilenceÖr