At an event to mark SELTA’s 40^th birthday held at the Swedish Ambassador’s residence in London on 30^th November, Chair Ian Giles announced the news that SELTA has been awarded Svenska Akademiens pris för introduktion av svensk kultur utomlands (the Swedish Academy’s Prize for the Introduction of Swedish Culture Abroad). This is an annual prize, established in 1992, for efforts to disseminate and promote Swedish culture outside of Sweden). The prize is worth SEK 160,000 (£12,600).

The prize has an illustrious list of past winners, including SELTA members Tom Geddes, Frank Perry, and the late editor of Swedish Book Review Laurie Thompson. Other past winners have included translators Elena Balzamo and Laura Cangemi, as well as the Department of Scandinavian Studies in Poznan, Poland.

SELTA Chair Ian Giles described the award as a tremendous honour, and noted that the committee has written to the Academy’s permanent secretary Mats Malm to offer its thanks. Ian told guests assembled at the 40^th anniversary celebration: ‘This award recognises the hard work of every member of SELTA over the years as ambassadors for translation, as well as the sterling efforts of committees past and present. It is particularly gratifying that our efforts to promote Swedish literature abroad have been noticed.’