Iranian authors, illustrators, research institute contending for 2013 ALMA

TEHRAN,Oct.20(MNA) -- Two authors, two illustrators, a reading promoter, and a children’s research organization from Iran have been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA). Authors Ahmadreza Ahmadi and Mostafa Rahmandust, illustrators Mohammad-Ali Bani-Asadi and Farshid Mesghali, reading promoter Turan Mirhadi, and the Donya Children’s Research Institute are among the 207 nominees from 67 countries contending for the world’s largest award for children’s and young adults’ literature, ALMA has announced on its website. A 5-million-Sewdish kronas ($760,500) cash award is presented annually to a single recipient or to several. Nominees are selected from authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and those active in reading promotion. ALMA was founded by the Swedish government in 2002 to promote interest in children’s and young adults’ literature and to strengthen children’s rights globally. The award is organized by the Swedish Arts Council. An expert jury selects the winners from candidates nominated by institutions and organizations worldwide. “An increase in the number of nominees and nominating bodies is evidence of a growing desire to highlight examples of top-quality writing and reading promotion work on the international stage,” ALMA jury president Larry Lempert said in a press conference at the Frankfurt Book Fair last week. The winner or winners the 2013 ALMA will be announced on March 26, 2013.