Riitta Jalonen

Riitta Jalonen (b. 1954) has written numerous books for adults and children. She currently lives in Hämeenlinna, Finland but has also lived in Ireland and Switzerland. She has studied literature in Tampere and worked as a journalist for different newspapers and as an art professor.

Her career as an author started in 1990 with the YA novel Enkeliyöt, The Angel Nights, which won the Topelius Prize. She also wrote many picture books together with the illustrator Kristiina Louhi, among others Tyttö ja naakkapuu, The Girl and the Jackdaw Tree, which received the Finlandia Junior Prize in 2004.

Her adult novel Kuvittele itsellesi mies, Imagine Yourself a Husband, won the Runeberg Prize in 2006 and her novel Kirkkaus, Brightness, about the writer Janet Frame was published to rave reviews and nominated for the same prize in 2016.

Riitta Jalonen was also honored with the Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion in 2022. Jalonen was recognized by the Chancery of the Orders which awards the medal to citizens who have distinguished themselves in the service of Finland. The Pro Finlandia Medal is given to significant artists and authors by the President of Finland.

Her latest novel Omat kuvat, Images of My Life, (2022) deals with writing and the inner experiences of a writer.

 

Photo: © Marjaana Malkamaki

 

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