The Fosse Prize 2026 – NORLA Invites Endorsements
Following Jon Fosse’s Nobel Prize in Literature in 2023, the Norwegian government established an annual initiative to honor the author—a yearly Fosse Lecture with accompanying events organized by the National Library, where a Fosse Prize for Translators, worth NOK 500,000, is also awarded. Through this initiative, the government highlights the importance of Fosse’s authorship in Norway and internationally.
On 24 April 2025, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit presented the first ever Fosse Prize to the German translator Hinrich Schmidt-Henkel in a live broadcast from the Royal Palace. The first Fosse Lecture was also delivered by the French philosopher and theologian Jean-Luc Marion.
The National Library manages the Fosse Lecture and the Fosse Prize for Translators on behalf of the government. In collaboration with NORLA, the National Library will annually award the Fosse Prize to an outstanding translator of Norwegian literature and/or drama (not necessarily in book form).
The prize is awarded for a body of translation work. The recipient will be chosen jointly by the National Library, Jon Fosse, and NORLA.
NORLA is responsible for nominating candidates and is now requesting suggestions for eligible candidates for the 2026 nomination process.
We welcome endorsements that meet the criteria below, with a brief justification (maximum 1 page), by Friday October 10, 2025, 12:00 (CET).
• The prize will be awarded to a translator who has made a particularly significant contribution to translating Norwegian literature and/or drama into another language (directly from Norwegian), with emphasis on their entire body of work.
• The promotion of literature and culture beyond translation can also be considered.
Endorsements may typically be submitted by:
• Foreign publishers who publish Norwegian literature
• Foreign translators’ associations
• Foreign universities where Norwegian is taught
• Foreign theatres and directors
• Norwegian foreign missions
Translators may not endorse themselves.
Please submit endorsements in the form of a brief justification (maximum 1 page) to NORLA
by Friday October 10, 2025, 12:00 (CET).
Read more
More information about the Fosse Prize and the Fosse Lecture here
Stream from the 2025 event here
About Jon Fosse
