Danish Academy facts for kids
The Danish Academy is a special group of smart people in Denmark. It was started in 1960 by a group of Danish thinkers. Their main goal is to help Danish writing and language grow. They especially focus on literature.
The Academy can have up to 20 members. Currently, there are 18 members. Their home is at Rungstedlund. This used to be the home of the famous author Karen Blixen. She was one of the first members of the Academy. The Academy also gives out several yearly literary awards. The most well-known is the Grand Prize of the Danish Academy.
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How the Danish Academy Started
The Danish Academy began on November 28, 1960. It was the idea of author Karl Bjarnhof and art historian Christian Elling. When it first started, there were 12 members. Some of the first members included Karen Blixen, Kjeld Abell, and Tom Kristensen.
On February 28, 1961, the number of members grew to 16. In 1964, they decided to have a maximum of 20 members. The Academy has continued to work on promoting Danish language and literature ever since.
Who Are the Members?
The Danish Academy has many talented writers and thinkers as members. They are chosen for their important contributions to Danish culture.
Current Members
- Benny Andersen
- Suzanne Brøgger
- Ida Jessen
- Pia Juul
- Jørn Lund
- Jens Smærup Sørensen
- Pia Tafdrup
- Søren Ulrik Thomsen
Past Members
Many other important figures have been members of the Academy over the years. Some well-known past members include:
Awards Given by the Academy
The Danish Academy gives out several awards each year. These awards celebrate great writers and translators. They also encourage new talent. Here are some of the main awards:
- Grand Prize of the Danish Academy (Akademiets store Pris): This is the biggest award. It was first given in 1961. As of 2012, the prize money was 300,000 Danish Krone (DKK).
- Otto Gelsted Prize: This award started in 1972. It gives 65,000 DKK to a deserving writer.
- Kjeld Abell Prize: This prize started in 1976. It is given every two or three years. It is worth 50,000 DKK.
- Klaus Rifbjerg's Debutant Prize: This award was started in 1983 by writer Klaus Rifbjerg. It is given every two years to a poet who has published their first collection. The poetry must be in Danish, Faroese, or Greenlandic. The prize is 10,000 DKK.
- Beatrice Prize (Beatrice-prisen): This prize started in 1983. It is worth 50,000 DKK.
- Translator's Prize of the Danish Academy: This award celebrates great translators. It started in 1988 and is worth 50,000 DKK.
- Silas Prize (Silas-prisen): This award was started in 1999 by author Cecil Bødker. It is given every two years to a notable children's book writer. The prize is 100,000 DKK.
- Karen Blixen Medal (Karen Blixen Medaljen): This special medal was created in 1984. It is given to non-Danish writers to recognize their important work.
