"Money and life" – Fritt Ord allocates MNOK 2.2 to literature programmes at public libraries
This past spring, Fritt Ord invited applications for grants of NOK 60 000 each for debates and discussions based on non-fiction and fiction literature on economics. The Foundation received 73 applications, and decided to award funding to 38 applicants.
Altogether, MNOK 2.2 will be divided among libraries all across Norway.
Fritt Ord has aspired to include a broad scope of project ideas, giving priority to presentations that discuss economics and living conditions. The projects receiving support will be promoting literature through panel discussions, lectures, talks with writers and discussion fora.
Examples of projects receiving support:
Arendal Library, “Moving towards a new economic reality?”
Events that highlight the economic consequences of global crises like the corona pandemic and climate change. Discussions about collapses and crises in a historical perspective and challenges related to sustainability and political changes.
Bærum Library, “A virus on the economy”
Series of meetings that deal with the economic consequences of the corona pandemic at the local, national and global levels. Talks about the consequences for personal finances, the economy of Norway and the environmental struggle, among other things.
Grünerløkka Branch, Deichman Library, “Money in the bank”
Series of meetings in collaboration with Rethinking Economics. For five evenings, the spotlight will be turned on “innovative perspectives, important voices and well-written books” as part of the general theme of money, economics and society.
Trøndelag County Library, “We can’t afford that”
Programme for pupils on the topic “what does Norwegian children’s literature tell us about being poor in Norway?”. In the form of a children’s book bath, conversations and meetings with authors.
This invitation from the Fritt Ord Foundation was intended to encourage the innovative promotion of language and literature, and to strengthen public libraries as communications arenas. The projects will be carried out from 2020 to 2022.
