Iran's Writers for Children and Youth Unveil Exciting Nominees for 2026 ALMA Awards

Iran’s Writers for Children and Youth Unveil Exciting Nominees for 2026 ALMA Awards

In a significant announcement, the nominees for Iran’s Association of Writers for Children and Youth for the 2026 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) were revealed on Monday. This prestigious award honors exceptional contributions to children’s literature and highlights key figures in the field.

Author Seyyed Navid Seyyed Ali-Akbar has been nominated in the writers’ category, while the “Joyful Alley” (Kooche-ye Shadi) project from Evaz, Fars province, has been recognized in the reading promoters’ category. Both nominees will compete for this esteemed Swedish prize, which celebrates global achievements in children’s literature, as reported by ISNA.

About Seyyed Navid Seyyed Ali-Akbar

Seyyed Ali-Akbar is a young yet prolific writer, celebrated for his diverse experience in the realm of children’s literature. His unique storytelling blends reality with imagination, often interweaving humor with serious themes. His narratives portray children and adolescents as complete individuals, showcasing their independent thoughts, experiences, and their unique worlds.

Ali-Akbar’s stories resonate with everyday themes relevant to children while also exploring more complex subjects, including:

  • Individual differences
  • The need for respect and acceptance
  • Social concerns
  • The importance of human relationships

Joyful Alley Project

Initially, the selection committee considered nominating Evaz itself due to its rich cultural characteristics and ongoing reading promotion efforts. However, after consulting with key figures in the city’s reading initiatives, they opted to present the “Joyful Alley” project.

This innovative initiative emphasizes child-centered urban and cultural development, fostering active citizenship among children in their communities. The Joyful Alley project not only enhances literacy and creativity but also provides a platform for dialogue, learning, and play, encouraging both individual and collective growth.

About Evaz and Its Reading Culture

Evaz, a small city in southern Fars province, has a long-standing commitment to promoting reading. It has established a reputation as a city that cherishes books through:

  • Community volunteer efforts in knowledge sharing
  • Strengthening libraries
  • Building local libraries
  • Innovative projects like “Joyful Alley”

Due to these initiatives, Evaz has received the title of “Creative City of Books and Reading” multiple times and was previously designated as Iran’s ninth Capital of Books.

Additional Nominees for the 2026 ALMA

In July, the Children’s Book Council of Iran also unveiled its nominees for the 2026 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. The council nominated Arman Arian in the Writers’ category and Hoda Hadadi in the Illustrators’ category, recognizing their exceptional contributions to children’s literature.

It is noteworthy that the Institute for Research on History of Children’s Literature, the Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCY-Kanoon), the Iranian Association of Writers for Children and Youth, and the Children’s Book Council of Iran hold nomination rights for the ALMA on behalf of Iran.

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Overview

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is valued at SEK 5 million (approximately €570,000), making it the world’s largest award for children’s and young adults’ literature. Established in 2002 by the Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs, the award commemorates the influential Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren and aims to promote children’s literature globally.

The nomination process for the award began in March 2025, with around 250 individuals and organizations from across the globe nominated each year. Candidates include:

  • Authors
  • Illustrators
  • Oral storytellers
  • Reading promoters

The jury will select the winner, who will be announced later this year, with the award ceremony typically occurring in the spring of the following year. Winning the ALMA not only brings substantial prize money but also offers international recognition for the laureate’s efforts in promoting children’s rights and fostering a love of literature among young readers worldwide.

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