The Swedish Academy’s 2023 Nordic Prize is awarded to Icelandic author Sjón for his significant contributions to Nordic literature.
The award, to be presented April 12, carries with it a prize of 400,000 SEK [$39,000; €36,000].
Read More: Sjón Withdraws from Iceland Noir Festival
The Swedish Academy works for the promotion of the Swedish language and literature through awards that recognize authors, translators, critics, researchers, teachers, and librarians. The Academy also promotes Nordic and international literature more generally through such prizes.
Known for his poetic and surreal style, Sjón’s best-recognized works include Moonstone, CoDex 1962, The Blue Fox, and From the Mouth of the Whale. He has previously been awarded the 2005 Nordic Council Literature Prize, the 2013 Icelandic Literary Prize, among others. His works have been translated into more than 30 languages.
Cinema-goers may also recognize his recent contributions to Lamb, a psychological folk horror film directed by Valdimar Jóhansson, and The Northman, a gritty historical drama directed by Robert Eggers. He is also known for his collaboration with other high-profile artists, including the song text for Björk in the Lars von Trier film, Dancer in the Dark.
Other recent recipients of the literary prize include Karl Ove Knausgård (Norway) in 2019, Rosa Liksom (Finland) in 2020, Eldrid Lunden (Norway) in 2021, and Naja Marie Aidt (Denmark) in 2022.
Read more about the Swedish Academy’s Nordic Prize here.
