Annika Idström
Annika Idström (12 November 1947, Helsinki — 20 September 2011, Helsinki) was a Finnish author, dramaturg, and translator.[1][2][3][4]
Early life and education[edit]
Ilse Annika Idström[2] was born to a Swedish-speaking family in Helsinki, and went to school at the private, Swedish language Laguska Skolan, graduating in 1968.[1]
Afterwards, she studied scriptwriting at the University of Art and Design Helsinki (now part of the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture), graduating in 1974.[1]
Literary works[edit]
Despite being a Swedish-speaking Finn by background, Idström wrote mostly in the Finnish language, due to her strong relationship with her Finnish-speaking grandmother.[1][2][5]
Her debut novel was Sinitaivas (1980) (lit. 'Blue Sky').[2][6]
Idström's breakthrough work is considered to be Veljeni Sebastian ('My Brother Sebastian') (1985).[2] That, along with another notable novel of hers, Kirjeitä Trinidadiin (1989) ('Letters to Trinidad'), were nominated for the Finlandia Prize literary award.[3]
She wrote five novels, several TV and radio dramas, as well as translating prose and poetry from Danish and Norwegian into Finnish.[7]
Often writing in the voice of a child, Idström's output centred on strong emotions such as hatred and violence, as well as family relations.[6]
Her works were unconventional in approach, dealing with dark and difficult themes, and blurring the boundary between internal and external observations.[4][5]
Non-writing career[edit]
In 1976–1977, Idström ran the Nuoren Voiman Liitto literary association.[1]
From 1984 to 1986, she lectured in Finnish language and literature at the University of Minnesota.[1][6]
She also worked as a freelance director in the drama department of the Finnish public broadcaster Yle.[7][6]
Honours and awards[edit]
In 1985, Idström received the Finnish State Literature Prize (Kirjallisuuden valtionpalkinto).[7]
In 1996, she was awarded the Pro Finlandia medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f "Annika Idström kirjoitti, koska ei muuta osannut" (in Finnish). Yle. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Idström, Annika". Uppslagsverket.fi (in Swedish). Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Kirjailija Annika Idström on kuollut" (in Finnish). Ilkka-Pohjalainen. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Idström, Annika (1947–2011)" (in Finnish). National Biography of Finland. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ a b "En djärv röst har tystnat" (in Swedish). Hufvudstadsbladet. 22 September 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Ilse Annika Idström". NordicWomensLiterature.net. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Kirjailija Annika Idström on kuollut" (in Finnish). Kaleva. STT. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
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