Magnificent news for this literary prize season as Finnish author Cristina Sandu won the 2020 Toisinkoinen Literary prize for her novel The Union of Synchronised Swimmers (in Finnish Veileikit).
Toisinkoinen Literary Prize is awarded annually for a first-class second novel. This year the prize ceremony was held as a live stream event from Helsinki Central Library Oodi.
Jury motivation:
“Skilfully crafted and defined, airy, and multi-layered. Highly praised for the themes of detachment as well as the description of externality and differentness. A work greater than its size gives a chance to pause, feel, and reflect on what one has read.”
The delighted and surprised winner highlighted the significance of the prize in her thank you speech. As an enthusiastic follower of the Toisinkoinen blog, being one of the finalists was a wonderful surprise for Cristina Sandu and she described her win as ” a superb joy and honour.”
Our warmest congratulations to Cristina Sandu!