By Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Publicity
Published June 8, 2015
It was an emotional moment when the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) 2015 was presented to the South African reading promotion, PRAESA, by Swedish Minister for Culture and Democracy, Alice Bah Kuhnke, on June 1, 2015. PRAESA, that stands for Project for the Study of Alternative Education in South Africa, is the first laureate ever from the African continent.
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PRAESA was represented at the ceremony that took place at the Stockholm Concert Hall by Executive Director Carole Bloch, Training Coordinator Ntombizanele Mahobe and Programmes Support Officer Malusi Ntoyapi.
“We believe that the stories we tell, write and read can change lives” Carole Bloch emphasised. “Sharing stories inspire us all to struggle against becoming overwhelmed by the challenges we meet each day in our fractured and profoundly unequal society. This is also the impetus behind the Nal’ibali reading-for-enjoyment campaign PRAESA runs.” 
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The Swedish Minister for Culture and Democracy, Alice Bah Kuhnke, underlined the importance of culture for democracy: “For me as a minister of both culture and democracy, it is very encouraging to see PRAESAs successful work using culture to strengthen democracy. A wide range of culture, arts and literature that reaches both adults and children is a prerequisite for democratic development and for preserving democracy.”
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Artist Kristina Amparo performed her own songs during the evening, and Swedish rap artist Petter performed his own text Fäller en tår. The programme also included a street dance performance inspired by the South African Kwaito music style.
The host for the evening was Ingemar Fasth, Head of Literature and Libraries at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern.
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the world’s largest award for children’s and young adult literature. The award, which amounts to SEK 5 million (570000 Euros), is given annually to a single laureate or to several. Authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and reading promoters are eligible. The award is designed to promote interest in children’s and young adult literature. The UN convention of rights of the child is the foundation of our work. An expert jury selects the laureate(s) from candidates nominated by institutions and organisations all over the world. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was founded by the Swedish government in 2002 and is administered by the Swedish Arts Council.
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