Danish Academy facts for kids
The Danish Academy is a special group in Denmark. It was started in 1960 by smart people who wanted to help Danish culture. Their main goal is to make sure the Danish language and literature stay strong.
The Academy can have up to 20 members. Right now, there are 18 members. They meet at a place called Rungstedlund. This used to be the home of a famous writer named Karen Blixen. She was one of the first people to join the Academy. Each year, the Academy gives out several important awards for writers. The most famous one is the Grand Prize of the Danish Academy.
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History of the Danish Academy
The Danish Academy began on 28 November 1960. It was started by two people: the writer Karl Bjarnhof and the art expert Christian Elling. When it first started, there were 12 members.
Some of the first members included Karen Blixen, Kjeld Abell, and Tom Kristensen. A few months later, in February 1961, the group grew to 16 members. By 1964, they decided they could have up to 20 members.
Who Are the Members?
The Danish Academy is made up of talented writers and thinkers. They are chosen because of their important work in Danish literature and language.
Current Members
- Benny Andersen
- Torben Brostrøm
- Suzanne Brøgger
- Klaus Høeck
- Ida Jessen
- Pia Juul
- Per Kirkeby
- Svend Åge Madsen
- Peter Laugesen
- Jørn Lund
- Astrid Saalbach
- Jens Smærup Sørensen
- Frederik Stjernfelt
- Pia Tafdrup
- Søren Ulrik Thomsen
- Poul Erik Tøjner
- Per Øhrgaard
Past Members
Many famous Danish writers and thinkers have been part of the Academy. Some of them include:
- Inger Christensen
- Elsa Gress
- William Heinesen
- Poul Henningsen
- Klaus Rifbjerg
- Villy Sørensen
Awards Given by the Academy
The Danish Academy gives out several awards each year. These awards celebrate great writing and help support Danish authors.
- Grand Prize of the Danish Academy (Akademiets store Pris): This is the biggest award. It was first given in 1961.
- Selskabet for de skiønne og nyttige Videnskabers Pris: This award started in 1968.
- Otto Gelsted Prize: This prize was first given in 1972.
- Kjeld Abell Prize: This award started in 1976. It is given out every two or three years.
- Klaus Rifbjerg's Debutant Prize: The writer Klaus Rifbjerg started this award in 1983. It is given every two years to a new poet. The poet must have published their first book in Danish, Faroese, or Greenlandic.
- Beatrice Prize (Beatrice-prisen): This award began in 1984.
- Translator's Prize of the Danish Academy (Akademiets oversætterprisen): This prize started in 1988. It honors people who translate books into Danish.
- Hvass Prize (Hvass-prisen): This award was given a few times between 1997 and 2001.
- Silas Prize (Silas-prisen): This prize was started in 1999 by the author Cecil Bødker. It is given every two years to a great children's book writer.
- The Foundation's Medal (Selskabets Medalje): This special medal is given sometimes to recognize important achievements. It has been given five times since 1968.
- Karen Blixen Medal (Karen Blixen Medaljen): This medal was created in 1984. It is given to non-Danish writers to honor their work.
