Paal-Helge Haugen facts for kids

Paal-Helge Haugen (born April 26, 1945) is a famous Norwegian writer. He writes many different kinds of books, including poetry, novels, plays, and stories for children. He has published over 30 books, and his works have been translated into at least 20 languages around the world.

One of his most important books is called Anne, which came out in 1968. It was a new kind of novel, sometimes called a "pointillist novel." This means it tells a story through many small, separate parts, like dots forming a picture. Anne quickly became a modern classic. In 2019, this book was finally translated into English.

About Paal-Helge Haugen's Career

Paal-Helge Haugen was born in Valle, a place called Setesdal. He first studied medicine at the University of Oslo. From 1965 to 1967, he was part of the team that edited a literary magazine called Profile.

His first book, Blad frå ein austleg hage, came out in 1965. It was a translation of Japanese haiku, which are short poems. Soon after, in 1967, he published På botnen av ein mørk sommar. This book adapted Chinese poems and also included his very first collection of original poems.

In 1971, Haugen traveled to the United States to study film and literature. When he returned to Norway, he taught creative writing from 1973 to 1978. Since then, he has worked as a full-time writer.

His Many Works

Paal-Helge Haugen has written eighteen books of poetry since 1967. These include two books of his best poems and one book with all his collected poems. His writings have been translated into many languages.

He has also worked with many artists, like Kjell Nupen and Jan Groth. He has also teamed up with Norwegian and international music composers, such as Arne Nordheim and Lillebjørn Nilsen.

Haugen has held important positions in the arts. He was the chairman of the Norwegian National Film Selection from 1980 to 1985. He also led the Norwegian Authors Association Literary Council and was the deputy chairman of the Norwegian Playwrights' Association.

Awards and Recognition

Paal-Helge Haugen has received many important awards for his writing. His book Det overvintra lyset, published in 1985, won two major prizes: the Gyldendal's Endowment and the Nynorsk Literature Prize. These awards recognized it as the best book written in Nynorsk that year.

He also received the Dobloug Prize in 1987. In 1990, he was given the Norwegian Critics Prize for Literature. He won the Brage Prize in 1994 for his book Sone 0. In 1991, he was nominated for the Nordic Council's Literature Prize for his work Meditasjonar over Georges de La Tour.

In January 2009, King Harald V of Norway honored Paal-Helge Haugen. He made him a Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. This special award was given to him for his important contributions to Norwegian literature and culture.

Awards Received

• Gyldendal's Endowment 1985
• Nynorsk Literature Prize 1985
• Dobloug Prize 1987
• Norwegian Critics Prize for Literature 1990
• Cappelen Prize 1991
• Brage Prize 1992
• Aschehoug Prize 2008
• Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav 2009