Today, Jon Fosse was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. He also became Norway’s fourth winner of the award, after Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (1903), Knut Hamsun (1920), Sigrid Undset (1928). Now the reactions are pouring in. – We have talked a lot about the big four in Norwegian literature. Now Jon Fosse must be added, says Culture Minister Lubja Jaffrey. Minister for Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffrey is full of praise for Norway’s new Nobel Prize winner in literature. Photo: Lena Marja Myrskog / news There is cheering in the background at the office of the Minister of Culture. – We are a small country, but a country that reads a lot. I think this will contribute to an even greater desire to read among Norwegians. The Minister of Culture promises that this will be properly celebrated. – We have to mark this in some way. It’s clear. We’re going to give Jon Fosse a big shout out, he deserves it after this. Prime Minister Jonas Gah Støre is also among the congratulators. Jonas Gahr Støre believes Jon Fosse is making Nynorsk a world language. Photo: Torstein Bøe / news – This is a historic day. Sigrid Undset won that award in 1928, today it is Jon Fosse who is honored for his outstanding writing. – Today, Jon Fosse has made Nynorsk a world language, says Støre. Kjærstad: – Fosse has created a new literature. Fosse is also congratulated by his Norwegian author colleagues. Jo Nesbø is himself an internationally recognized author. He chooses to be tight-lipped, like Fosse himself. Photo: Robert Rønning / Robert Rønning / news – It’s just fantastic, both for Jon Fosse and Norwegian literature. Since it is an ideal for the rest of us to be as tight-lipped as Fosse, I just say “hooray” and join the line of congratulators, says Jo Nesbø. – I want to send my warmest congratulations. It’s carefully said, but it’s as if you’re almost at a loss for words, says Jan Kjærstad. Fosse has written around 70 works, both novels, stories, poems, essays and plays. His publications have been translated into over 50 languages. – He has simply created a new literature, within which only he has written. I would call that “existence as liturgy”. I think that is meaningfully unexpressed for what I perceive to be the core of his writing, says Kjærstad. Author Jan Kjærstad says Jon Fosse has created a completely new literature with his uncompromising way of writing. Photo: Fartein Rudjord Big day for Nynorsk Another place where the champagne is on the roof today is Norges Mållag. Their job is to promote the Nynorsk language. – This is absolutely fantastic and is something we have been waiting and hoping for for so many years. This year it finally happened: Nynorsk has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature! It is well deserved and we are very happy today, says Peder Lofsnes Hauge, leader of Norway’s Goal Association. – This is the first time a Nynorsk user has won this award, what does it mean for Nynorsk? – It is clear that this is an extreme recognition of Nynorsk as a small language, but at the same time a language for great literature. This is a big day for all of us who are fond of the Nynorsk language. – What kind of significance can this have for the struggle and preservation of Nynorsk? – I think it is important to increase the status of our language. This is primarily important for Jon Fosse’s writing. He is already a world-renowned playwright, but one that even more people are now seeing. It is well worth celebrating on a day like today.
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Jon Fosse is praised after the Nobel Prize – news Culture and entertainment
