On Thursday, the 7th of February 2019 the Estonian government approved the recipients of the National Lifetime Achievement Award for Culture. The award for her long-term distinguished activity as a children’s writer and poet was given to Leelo Tungal.
Leelo Tungal (1947) is a beloved poet, children’s writer and translator. She has written more than 80 books of prose and poetry for children and young adults. Tungal has received a multitude of honours and awards, including the IBBY Honour List in 2010, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Award for Children’s Literature in 1997, the Karl Eduard Sööt Children’s Poetry Award in 1995, 2000 and 2007, and the Nukits Competition in 1992, 1994 and 2006. Her works feature optimism, direct communication with the reader, fluid storytelling, and witty storytelling.
The National Lifetime Achievement Award for Culture is presented for outstanding long-term creative activity. Three lifetime achievement awards for culture are presented each year. The awards will be given out on the 24th of February.
