Minsann, the jury thought that A Thousand Times Stronger would take home Storytel's big audiobook prize 2024 in the Youth category. It is so brilliantly read by Ella Schartner, a reading which, in this context, was of course decisive for the price. How fun! And thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for the book so that it made it to the finals.
Eighteen years ago, A Thousand Times Stronger was August nominated and I sat out in the dark in the audience and started there and then really hoping to get it and the prospects were good. But that time nothing happened. As the circumstances were then, it got a little depressing, because just that evening I started losing my hair after a first chemo. In addition, the event was not nearly as welcoming and inclusive as Storytel's and the Visually Impaired Confederation's event at Cirkus. Nej, those of us who lost that time had to walk away stunned to a loud roar ” the winner takes it all”. It was quite insensitive. The winners were already happy. The rest of us got a little extra pressure and we didn't get any food either! Here, at the Circus, we were spoiled with oceans of champagne, seated table and three-course dinner plus party afterwards with disco. That's how it should happen! Everyone should have a chance to celebrate and be happy, regardless of whether you won a prize or not!
Men nu! Eighteen years later! And how many of the books that have received the August Prize in these eighteen years have survived to this point? I actually think so, with perspective ( perspective is always good!) , that this award was more valuable to me. Because it shows that my book, this story, has the power to touch and indeed it must have touched a very large number of young people during those years! It really warms my heart.
Although it is sad that the book is needed. It will be needed for a long time to come.
A couple of years after the book came out, Peter Schildt did ( who has directed Glappet, Ebba & Didrik,m. fl script by me) a long movie, I wrote the script as usual and the film A thousand times stronger has been shown in many countries in different contexts. Thanks to it, I have been to China, South Korea and Jordan, but it has also been shown and received awards in Egypt with several countries and in contexts such as EU women's film week etcetera.
It describes a power structure that, sadly enough, is recognizable just about everywhere and I will never forget the heated discussions that young people have had in countries such as those mentioned, after the screening. I will also never forget the cheers that the young girls spontaneously raised, for example in the scene when Signe stands up, makes himself visible and has the courage to protest – thanks to Saga being sacrificed. When it happened then the film was shown in Amman, both Charlotta Sparre and I started, who was then ambassador to Jordan cry.
And that now, i mars 2024, accept this award – together with Ella Schartner who read the book and who herself had read it at school and since then has carried it with her – gave me back some of the power. Although it is heavy and lonely and offers a lot of resistance and little money, then I could really feel that I had contributed something very important, sometimes even life-changing, for many many people, through this writing.
It's really dizzying. Och konstigt, when loitering around here, under the trees all to himself.
Again, one is also reminded of how important culture is. What power there can be in art. A transformative force. How very very dangerous it is, when culture weakens in a society, in a world where people grow up.
Me and my publisher Karin Kaa Lemon at Bonnier Carlsen. Eighteen years ago, Annika Lunderberg was my editor and Rod Bengtsson my publisher, but Kaa is a safe pillar and open arms, she too!
