The prize, awarded by the Main Association of the Austrian Book Trade (HVB) in cooperation with the City of Vienna Culture and Christine Nöstlinger’s letter factory, is endowed with 10,000 euros.
Vienna (OTS) – The author Heinz Janisch was awarded the Christine Nöstlinger Prize for children’s and young people’s literature 2024. The award ceremony took place on Thursday, April 25th in the Loos rooms of the Vienna Library. The prize was established by the Main Association of the Austrian Book Trade (HVB) in cooperation with the City of Vienna Culture and Christine Nöstlinger’s letter factory and is endowed with 10,000 euros. In 2024 it was awarded for the fourth time.
The prize was awarded by City Councilor for Culture Veronica Kaup-Hasler and the chairman of the Austrian Publishers Association, Alexander Potyka. The laudatory speech was given by jury member Karin Haller, managing director of the Institute for Youth Literature. Christine Nöstlinger’s daughter, Christiana Nöstlinger, was also present at the award ceremony.
“Heinz Janisch writes for people – young and old. He meets his audience at eye level and with curiosity, regardless of whether he writes stories, poems or prayers for children or creates radio programs for adults,” emphasized Veronica Kaup-Hasler at the award ceremony on Thursday evening. Janisch has made it easy for so many mothers and fathers, “because his children’s books, his invitations to fantasy journeys also enrich parents when they read aloud – and read them again and again. I would like to thank and congratulate the award winner, because this city is richer because of people like Heinz Janisch.
“Heinz Janisch is an author who is characterized by his artistic power and attitude as well as his playfulness and tenderness. He always meets his readers on an equal footing – in his numerous publications, children’s and young adult books, as well as in the wonderful programs ‘Images of Man’ on the Austrian Radio,” emphasized Alexander Potyka appreciatively. “For me there is no one who deserves this award more. I congratulate Heinz Janisch.”
In her laudatory speech, Karin Haller not only gave an insight into the motives of Heinz Janisch’s extensive work as a children’s book author, but particularly emphasized his ability to “connect the world of fantasy with the real world.” Heinz Janisch “brings a lot of linguistic poetry to his stories to shine.”
In his words of thanks, Heinz Janisch particularly emphasized his respect for the award’s namesake, Christine Nöstlinger. Nöstlinger impressed him as a child and she later served as a role model for him. “Nöstlinger has brought a new tone, a rougher, non-sweet tone to the children’s book.” All of her characters, be it the boy from the community building, “developed ego strength and knew how to defend themselves,” emphasized Janisch. “Those who write for children believe in the possibility of a more just world,” the author concluded.
The Christine Nöstlinger Prize honors people who give children and all those who are otherwise not heard a voice, adopt their perspective and thus contribute to making their lives a little more fair. The prize also aims to keep alive the humanistic principles and concerns that the author represented in her literature.
The decision on the award is made by an independent expert jury, whose members are nominated by the City of Vienna Culture, the Main Association of the Austrian Book Trade and Christine Nöstlinger’s letter factory: In 2024 it consisted of Karin Haller (Managing Director of the Institute for Youth Literature), Linda Wolfsgruber (illustrator and prize winner of the Christine Nöstlinger Prize 2022) and Andrea Zsutty (Director of the ZOOM Children’s Museum).
Heinz Janisch was born in Güssing in Burgenland in 1960 and works as a journalist and author. He studied German and journalism in Vienna. Since 1982 he has been working as a freelancer for ORF radio, designing and moderating radio programs. He writes both adult and children’s books that have been translated into more than 25 languages. His particular love is children’s books and poetry. Heinz Janisch received several literary prizes, including the Austrian State Prize for Children’s Poetry in 2005, the Austrian Art Prize for Children’s and Young People’s Literature in 2018 and the Grand Prize of the German Academy for Children and Young People’s Literature in 2020. Most recently he was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Prize in 2024 excellent. He lives in Vienna and Burgenland.
In 2023, the Christine Nöstlinger Prize was awarded to the author Lilly Axster.
Further information about the prize and the jury’s statement can be found at www.buecher.at/christine-noestlinger-preis.
Questions & Contact:
Ramona Gang
Main Association of the Austrian Book Trade
+43 1 512 15 35 24
geng@hvb.at
Isabella Ceri
Media spokesperson StRin Mag.a Veronica Kaup-Hasler
+43 1 4000 – 811 69
isabella.cheri@wien.gv.at
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