Sumaya Jirde Ali

Sumaya Jirde Ali (b. 1997) is a Norwegian-Somali social commentator, literary critic, playwright, author and poet. For her writing and contributions to the Norwegian public conversation, Jirde Ali has received the Oslo Prize Voice of the Year, the Zola Prize, the Words in Borderland Prize and the Norwegian Authors' Association's Freedom of Expression Prize. In 2021, she was also awarded the Amalie Skram Prize. Her debut came in 2017 with the poetry collection Women Who Hate Men.

Reasoning:

«Through both fiction and non-fiction, she has explored questions that often drown in simplified answers. Her books speak of women who hate men, of racism and conflict, of refugees and feminism. They explore resistance, community and the necessity of creating your own space.

In addition to the books, she has also participated in the literary and political public sphere in very clear ways. Her work has given a wide audience insight into experiences and realities that might otherwise remain hidden. At the same time, readers have been able to follow her literary development and maturation more closely than is usual.

[...]

Good poetry often points back to the necessity of itself. This is also the case here. Sumaya Jirde Ali's poetry not only reminds the reader of the risk of bringing something new into the world. Her books also demonstrate the necessity of such creative work.

They do so by creating linguistic realities that would otherwise be unreal. They create a world to belong to – a world with meaning, dignity and value. But perhaps above all: a world where she herself can live and dictate.»

Sunniva M. Roligheten

Sunniva M. Roligheten (b. 2000) is a student. She published her debut novel, When Everything is Built of Paper (2021) when she was only 20 years old. The debut earned her a nomination for the Tarjei Vesaas Debutant Prize and was awarded the Saabye Grant.

Reasoning:

«[Her debut novel] is a refreshing renewal of the slightly tired genre of the coming-of-age novel.

The book is composed of small episodes, often put together according to the principle of association, such as: dinosaur-egg-pie-friend who makes pie. Although each of the series are individual, all readers will recognise the principle itself.

The narrator, who is a student, is loyal to the child as someone who lives through the experience, and does not interrupt with adult interpretations. For the child, it is as it is when Dad sees UFOs and builds towers in the garden because cosmic beings have said that it is necessary to save the world. If the children want something, they can cut it out of paper.»

Full List

The full list of authors are Sumaya Jirde Ali, Priya Bains, Karoline Brændjord, Nora Dåsnes, Maria Kjos Fonn, Monica Goksøyr, Sigurd Hverven, Simen K. Nielsen, Sunniva M. Roligheten and Maria Navarro Skaranger.