Iran receives 7 nominations for ALMA 2014

Iran received seven nominations for the 2014 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA), the world’s largest prize for children’s and young adult literature. Authors Ahmadreza Ahmadi and Mostafa Rahmandoust, illustrators Mohammad Ali Baniasadi, Farshid Mesqali, and Alireza Golduzian, reading promoter Turan Mirhadi, and the Donya Children’s Research Institute are among the nominees, which organizers announced at the Frankfurt Book Fair. All the Iranian nominees except Golduzian were nominated for the award in 2013, the Iranian Mehr News Agency reported. A total 238 writers, illustrators, oral storytellers, reading promoters, and cultural institutes from 68 countries will be contending for the award. The laureate or recipients of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award will be announced on March 25, 2014. The award will be presented during a ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall on June 2, 2014. A 5-million-Swedish krona ($750,000) cash award is presented annually by the Swedish Arts Council to a single recipient or to several recipients. The prize was established by the Swedish government to commemorate author Astrid Lindgren and to promote children’s and youths’ literature around the world.