Saami Council's Prize for Literature 2020 to Kirste Paltto
The Saami Council awards the 2020 Prize for Literature to Kirste Paltto for her youth novel "Luohtojávrri oainnáhusat".
Excerpt from the jury’s decision:
– The author makes use of Sámi oral traditions in a modern and creative fashion, and pulls the reader into the story. In the story, the reader encounters animals that can talk and people from other realms. The marvelous world of Luohtojávri reminds the reader that the relationship between people and the mystical forces of nature is a central part of Sámi traditions and beliefs and that there are values and knowledge in this relationship that the Sámi ought not to forget, but rather cherish and preserve. At the same time as the author leads the children through the world of the Sámi oral traditions, she also opens up the children's ability for imagination and ingenuity.
The prize was awarded at the digital conference KulturSápmi, November 3 2020. The book is published by publisher Davvi Girji in 2016. The publishing house writes the following about the literature prize winner:
– Davvi Girji congratulates Kirste Paltto on the Sami Council's Literature Prize 2020. It is a great honor for us that our author Kirste Paltto has received this year's literature prize from the Sami Council.
Kirste Paltto states the following when receiving the Sami Council's Literature Prize 2020:
– This award gives me the strength to continue writing stories for children. It is important to me that Sami children have access to good stories in the Sámi language. I would like to thank the Sami Council for the award and at the same time thank the publisher Davvi Girji. Now I will begin my work on writing a new book.
Kirste Paltto - born in 1947 and raised in Fierranjohka in the Deatnu Valley, in Utsjok municipality. Today Kirsti lives in Rovaniemi. She is the first female Sámi author, and her first collection of short stories Soagŋu was published in 1971.
