Acceptance speech

The Aniara prize went to Jonas Hassen Khemiri and the Swedish Library association asked the winner to “say a few words” about what libraries have meant for him. It became a thank you speech to all the libraries that have shaped him as a writer.

Dagens Nyheter published the speech in Swedish.

BBC World Service Cultural Frontline, broadcasted it in English. Episode: “Sacred Places And Sounds” (2016) 

Swedish writer Jonas Hassen Khemiri remembers his childhood visits to his family’s sacred space – the local library. Presented by Tina Daheley.

Full episode here. Excerpt here.