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Dutch author Connie Palmen wins Constantijn Huygens Prize for literary lifetime achievement

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Dutch author Connie Palmen has been awarded the Constantijn Huygens Prize for her entire literary oeuvre.
  • The jury praised Palmen's loyalty to literature and described her as a "protector of letters."
  • Palmen expressed deep happiness and pride, calling the award a recognition of her writing and a radical way of living.

The prestigious Constantijn Huygens Prize, awarded annually for a complete literary body of work, has been bestowed upon acclaimed Dutch author Connie Palmen. Known for novels such as her 1991 debut 'De wetten' (The Laws), which became an international bestseller translated into over 20 languages, Palmen is recognized for her distinctive voice and intellectual rigor.

Connie Palmen possesses the rare talent to write sharply and passionately about philosophy, love, and friendship in concise language. With an idiosyncratic voice and fearless intellect, she reflects on existential questions about being human and consistently manages to touch and inspire readers.

— JuryThe jury's statement explaining why Connie Palmen was awarded the Constantijn Huygens Prize.

The jury lauded Palmen's "unconditional loyalty to literature," deeming her "a protector of our letters." They highlighted her rare talent for writing passionately about philosophy, love, and friendship in concise language. Her work, coupled with her public appearances, demonstrates a profound commitment to the literary world, inspiring readers with existential reflections.

Both her work and her public appearances testify to her unconditional loyalty to literature, making her a protector of our letters.

— JuryFurther elaboration from the jury on Palmen's significance in the literary world.

Palmen, who was informed of the award on the day she submitted her latest novel, 'Johnnie Walker,' expressed profound joy and pride. "This makes me soul-happy and proud," she stated. "This lifetime achievement award is a recognition of authorship, and that moves me deeply. It was always write or die. That's how high I played. It is a form of very radical living. That its radicality and absolutism are rewarded in this way makes me incredibly happy."

This makes me soul-happy and proud. This lifetime achievement award is a recognition of authorship, and that moves me deeply. It was always write or die. That's how high I played. It is a form of very radical living. That its radicality and absolutism are rewarded in this way makes me incredibly happy.

— Connie PalmenPalmen's reaction to winning the Constantijn Huygens Prize.

She described writing as essential to her existence, stating, "I live to love and to write. Writing is also a way for me to relate to the world. It is my marriage to the world, as I have always called it." The Constantijn Huygens Prize, administered by the Jan Campert Foundation on behalf of the municipality of The Hague, includes a 12,000 euro award.

I live to love and to write. Writing is also a way for me to relate to the world. It is my marriage to the world, as I have always called it.

— Connie PalmenPalmen describing the fundamental role of writing in her life.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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