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 2025

As of 2025 the jury consists of the following proper elected members
  • Stig Hansén
  • Pia Ingström
  • Jón Yngvi Jóhannsson
  • Outi Menna
  • Kathrine Nedrejord
  • Karin Nykvist
  • Gro Frank Rasmussen
  • Erik Skyum-Nielsen
  • Soffía Auður Birgisdóttir
  • Bjørn Sortland
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 titleAuthorCountryOriginal LanguageRef
1962The Days of His GraceHans nådes tidSwedenSwedish
1963Under the North Star 3: ReconciliationTäällä Pohjantähden alla 3FinlandFinnish
1964The Ice PalaceIs-slottetNorway Norwegian
1965From Hell to ParadiseFrån Helvetet till ParadisetSwedenSwedish
1965The Good HopeDet gode HåbFaroe IslandsDanish
1966Diwan on the Prince of EmgionDīwān över Fursten av EmgiónSwedenSwedish
1967Nye novellerNye novellerNorway Norwegian
1968Flight of the EagleIngenjör Andrées luftfärdSwedenSwedish
1969The LegionnairesLegionärernaSwedenSwedish
1970Anna, I, AnnaAnna, jeg, AnnaDenmarkDanish
1971Coast of Slaves, Ships of Slaves and Islands of SlavesSlavernes kyst, Slavernes skibe and Slavernes øerDenmarkDanish
1972Sju ord på tunnelbananSju ord på tunnelbananSwedenSwedish
1973Kersantin poikaKersantin poikaFinlandFinnish
1974Uden mål – og medUden mål – og medDenmarkDanish
1975Siinä näkijä missä tekijäSiinä näkijä missä tekijäFinlandFinnish
1976Að laufferjum and Að brunnumAð laufferjum and Að brunnumIcelandIcelandic
1977I de mörka rummen, i de ljusaI de mörka rummen, i de ljusaFinlandSwedish
1978Dalen PortlandDalen PortlandNorway Norwegian
1979PubertetPubertetSwedenSwedish
1980Vredens barnVredens barnSwedenSwedish
1981Hauströkkrið yfir mérHauströkkrið yfir mérIcelandIcelandic
1982Samuels bokSamuels bokSwedenSwedish
1983Om fjorten dageOm fjorten dageDenmarkDanish
1984The Christmas OratorioJuloratorietSwedenSwedish
1985A Day in OstrobothniaPohjanmaaFinlandFinnish
1986LíkasumLíkasumFaroe IslandsFaroese
1987Hudløs himmelHudløs himmelNorway Norwegian
1988Justice UndoneGrámosinn glóirIcelandIcelandic
1989Roman 1987Roman 1987Norway Norwegian
1990For the Living and the DeadFör levande och dödaSwedenSwedish
1991The Sun, My FatherBeaivi, áhčážanSápmi / FinlandNorthern Sámi
1992Night WatchMeðan nóttin líðurIcelandIcelandic
1993Byen og verdenByen og verdenDenmarkDanish
1994BlackwaterHändelser vid vattenSwedenSwedish
1995Angels of the UniverseEnglar alheimsinsIcelandIcelandic
1996Hva skal vi gjøre i dag og andre novellerHva skal vi gjøre i dag og andre novellerNorway Norwegian
1997Bang. En roman om Herman BangBang. En roman om Herman BangDenmarkDanish
1998After Having Spent a Night Among HorsesEfter att ha tillbringat en natt bland hästarFinlandSwedish
1999Queen's GateDronningeportenDenmarkDanish
2000DrømmebroerDrømmebroerDenmarkDanish
2001The DiscovererOppdagerenNorway Norwegian
2002The Half BrotherHalvbrorenNorway Norwegian
2003RevbensstädernaRevbensstädernaSwedenSwedish
2004JuoksuhaudantieJuoksuhaudantieFinlandFinnish
2005The Blue FoxSkugga-BaldurIcelandIcelandic
2006The OceanOceanenSwedenSwedish
2007DrömfakultetenDrömfakultetenSwedenSwedish
2008BaboonBavianDenmarkDanish
2009I Curse the River of TimeJeg forbanner tidens elvNorway Norwegian
2010PurgePuhdistusFinlandFinnish
2011Between the TreesMilli trjánnaIcelandIcelandic
2012Days in the History of SilenceDager i stillhetens historieNorway Norwegian
2013The Prophets of Eternal FjordProfeterne fra EvighedsfjordenDenmarkDanish
2014Mirage 38Hägring 38FinlandSwedish
2015Andvake, Olavs draumar and KveldsvævdAndvake, Olavs draumar and KveldsvævdJon FosseNorway Norwegian
2016Songs and FormulaeSånger och formlerKatarina FrostensonSwedenSwedish
2017Memories of LoveErindring om kærlighedenDenmarkDanish
2018Hotel SilenceÖrIcelandIcelandic
2019After the SunEfter SolenDenmarkDanish
2020Who killed Bambi?Vem dödade bambi?FinlandSwedish
2021Flower ValleyNaasuliardarpiGreenlandGreenlandic
2022On the Calculation of Volume I, II and IIIOm udregning af rumfang I, II and IIIDenmarkDanish
2023 Remember Us to LifeIhågkom oss till livSwedenSwedish
2024Walking ManFars ryggNiels Fredrik DahlNorway Norwegian
2025Black OrchidSvørt orkidéVónbjørt VangFaroe Islands Faroese