We are seeking original short texts inspired by the works of female Nobel laureates.
Female and non-binary writers are invited to craft pieces that engage in a dialogue with the esteemed laureates.
Please submit one or more proposals no later than May 12, 2024.
Selected works will be showcased on stage during the 2024-25 theater season.
The Nobel laureates for the inaugural season include:
SVETLANA ALEKSIJEVITJ (2015) – recognized for her multi-dimensional narratives, serving as a testament to the endurance and bravery amidst contemporary challenges.
ANNIE ERNAUX (2022) – celebrated for her bold exploration of personal memory, alienation, and societal constructs, delivered with clinical precision and courage.
SELMA LAGERLÖF (1909) – honored for the noble ideals, imaginative richness, and profound emotional resonance woven throughout her literary works.
TONI MORRISON (1993) – renowned for her visionary storytelling and poetic depth, offering profound insights into the intricacies of American life.
HERTA MÜLLER (2009) – acclaimed for her evocative portrayal of displacement and homelessness, combining poetic intensity with stark realism.
Nobelfesten – Open Call
Klockriketeatern, in partnership with Svenska Folkskolans Vänner, is pleased to introduce Nobelfesten – an innovative initiative featuring a series of newly commissioned literary works. Over the upcoming theater season, we will showcase a collection of ten new short texts, performed on stage before live audiences, each drawing inspiration from the works of five Nobel laureates in literature.
For the inaugural season of Nobelfesten, we have made a deliberate decision to extend invitations exclusively to female or non-binary writers. In a collaborative exchange with a female Nobel laureate, these writers will craft original pieces, aiming to create a fresh and distinctive literary landscape.
Open Call
This serves as our formal invitation – an invitation to contribute to our creative endeavor, both for us and for our esteemed audience.
We seek bold and innovative endeavors, ones that may root themselves locally while resonating universally. Let creativity flow freely and imagination flourish.
We specifically seek submissions from female and non-binary individuals interested in crafting a short literary piece.
Inspiration awaits from the works of five distinguished female Nobel laureates: Svetlana Aleksijevic, Annie Ernaux, Herta Müller, Toni Morrison, and Selma Lagerlöf. Your task is to compose an artistic commentary, a counterpart, or a response to a personally chosen original text or to the collective oeuvre of the Nobel laureate.
While the form of your creation is unrestricted, it must be suitable for stage performance, with a duration of approximately 15 minutes. Authors have the option to present their own work or have up to three actors provided for the performance.
Please submit one or multiple proposals no later than May 12, 2024. Detailed compensation instructions for the ten selected texts are outlined in the provided guidelines.
Guidelines – Follow these steps:
1. Select one of the Nobel laureates in literature listed below. You will find the authors and the Swedish Academy's award justifications alongside this document.
2. Craft a succinct proposal (maximum approximately 650 words in total) including:
a. Motivation – Explain why you are drawn to the works of this particular author.
b. Synopsis – Provide a draft of your proposed text, outlining its content and form.
3. Send your proposal via email to klockrike@klockrike.fi
Language
While performances are conducted in Swedish, proposals can also be submitted in Scandinavian (Swedish, Danish or Norwegian), Finnish, or English. Klockriketeatern will facilitate translation into Swedish as needed.
Compensation
No fee is offered for the initial stage (synopsis).
However, for completed works (approximately 15 minutes in duration), compensation will adhere to the tariffs set by the Authors' Union.
Please ensure your proposal reaches us no later than May 12, 2024.
Next steps
4. Following the submission period, a selection jury will evaluate the proposals and choose ten synopses for further development. Theater director Dan Henriksson leads this jury.
5. Selected writers will be contacted by Klockriketeatern before midsummer to commission the production of ten texts. Final texts must be delivered by the end of summer.
6. Collaboratively, the theater and writers will refine and integrate the new works to form a cohesive program for Nobelfesten. The final pieces should be suitable for performance in front of an audience within a 15-minute timeframe, utilizing one to three readers and minimal technical requirements.
Nobelfesten 2024–25
Throughout the 2024–25 theater season, we are proud to present a series of five distinct Nobel gatherings. These evenings promise captivating explorations of literature across various genres, featuring a blend of classical education and cultural discourse.
At each event, a Nobel laureate’s work will be joined by two distinguished writers, each focusing on a selected text. This unique program format provides not only the perspective of the Nobel laureate but also two additional voices in response. The texts will stand on their own merit and will be complemented by insightful analysis, contextual background, and engaging conversations.
Our inaugural lineup features the esteemed Nobel laureates Svetlana Aleksijevic, Annie Ernaux, Herta Müller, Toni Morrison and Selma Lagerlöf.
Nobelfesten will take place at the SFV House G18 in Helsinki. Further details regarding the Nobelfesten’s concept and our collaboration with SFV will be shared at the onset of the theater season.
Questions?
For inquiries, please contact us via email at klockrike@klockrike.fi.
Learn more about Klockriketeatern here.
Nobelfesten is presented in collaboration with Svenska Folkskolans Vänner (SFV).
