Johannes Heggland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johannes Martin Heggland
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| Born | 29 June 1919 Tysnes, Norway |
| Died | 24 January 2008 (aged 88) |
| Occupation | novelist, playwright, short story and children's literature writer, politician, |
Johannes Heggland (born June 29, 1919 – died January 24, 2008) was a famous Norwegian writer. He wrote many books, short stories, and plays. He also wrote books especially for children! Besides writing, he was also a politician who worked with the Centre Party. He is well-known for two of his historical plays, Mostraspelet and Håkonarspelet – Kongen med gullhjelmen.
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About Johannes Heggland
Johannes Andreas Martin Heggland was born in a place called Tysnes in Hordaland, Norway. His parents, Vermund and Elisabeth, were farmers. He was the youngest of 11 children! He grew up in a family that loved telling stories.
His Work in Politics
Johannes Heggland was involved in local politics for almost 30 years. He was the mayor of Tysnes twice, from 1956 to 1959 and again from 1968 to 1971. He also served as a helper (deputy representative) in the Norwegian Parliament from 1958 to 1961.
He was also important in the world of books. He led the Norwegian Authors' Union from 1982 to 1985. He was also part of a committee that chose winners for a special book prize in the Nordic countries. Johannes Heggland also helped with the Norwegian Language Council and was on the board for Riksteatret, a national theater.
His Writing Style
Johannes Heggland started his writing career in 1941 with a book called Folk under fjell. He went on to write more than sixty books! Many of his books are based on deep historical research. He wrote about times from the Bronze Age all the way up to his own time. He especially focused on the period around the Black Death.
His stories often showed a great understanding of Norwegian country life. He wrote in a style that was very realistic and traditional. He didn't follow newer, more modern writing trends.
Famous Plays
Johannes Heggland is very famous for his historical plays.
Mostraspelet
Mostraspelet is a play with three acts and music by Kjell Habbestad. It was first performed in 1984. The play takes place on the island of Moster in Sunnhordland. It tells the story of how Christianity came to Norway through King Olaf Tryggvason in the years 995, 997, and 1024. Mostraspelet is still performed every year at an outdoor theater in Bømlo.
Håkonarspelet – Kongen med gullhjelmen
Håkonarspelet – Kongen med gullhjelmen is a series of historical plays. They are all about the time when King Haakon I of Norway was king. These plays are performed every year as part of the Håkonarspelet summer festival. Since 1997, they have been shown at the Royal Norwegian Navy base at Haakonsvern and in places like Fitjar, Seim, and Eivindvik.
Awards and Honors
Johannes Heggland received many awards for his writing. He won the Nynorsk Literature Prize in 1988, the Dobloug Prize in 1990, and the Emmausprisen in 2001. He was also made a Knight, First Class, of the Order of St. Olav. This is a very high honor given for important cultural work.
Awards Received
- Emmaus Award (2001)
- Doblougprisen Prize for Literature (1990)
- Nynorsk Literature Prize (1988)
- Melsom Prize (1972)
- Alfred Andersson-Rysst Fund (1965)
- Ministry of Culture's award of children's literature (1962, 1963, 1964, 1970, 1972)
- Gyldendal's Endowment (1961)
Selected Works
Novels
- Folk under fjell (1941)
- Guds åkerland (1943)
- Menneskebrunnen (1949)
- Gard (1951)
- Kvinnfolkgarden (1955)
- Dagen før domedag (1961)
- Gabriel (1969)
- Rusdøler (1971)
- Brødet frå havet, four volumes (1981–84)
- Seglet og vinden, three volumes (1985–87)
- Det saltlause saltet (1999)
Plays
- Kongen med gullhjelmen (1996)
- Håkon Adelsteinsfostre (1996)
- Håkon Adelsteinfostre i Gula (1996)
- Håkonarvarde (1995)
