Annika Idström

Ilse Annika Idström[2] was born to a Swedish-speaking family in Helsinki, and went to school at the private, Swedish language Laguska Skolan, graduating in 1968.[1]

Afterwards, she studied scriptwriting at the University of Art and Design Helsinki (now part of the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture), graduating in 1974.[1]

Despite being a Swedish-speaking Finn by background, Idström wrote mostly in the Finnish language, due to her strong relationship with her Finnish-speaking grandmother.[1][2][5]

Her debut novel was Sinitaivas (1980) (lit. 'Blue Sky').[2][6]

Idström's breakthrough work is considered to be Veljeni Sebastian ('My Brother Sebastian') (1985).[2] That, along with another notable novel of hers, Kirjeitä Trinidadiin (1989) ('Letters to Trinidad'), were nominated for the Finlandia Prize literary award.[3]

She wrote five novels, several TV and radio dramas, as well as translating prose and poetry from Danish and Norwegian into Finnish.[7]

Often writing in the voice of a child, Idström's output centred on strong emotions such as hatred and violence, as well as family relations.[6]

Her works were unconventional in approach, dealing with dark and difficult themes, and blurring the boundary between internal and external observations.[4][5]

In 1976–1977, Idström ran the Nuoren Voiman Liitto literary association.[1]

From 1984 to 1986, she lectured in Finnish language and literature at the University of Minnesota.[1][6]

She also worked as a freelance director in the drama department of the Finnish public broadcaster Yle.[7][6]

In 1985, Idström received the Finnish State Literature Prize (Kirjallisuuden valtionpalkinto).[7]

In 1996, she was awarded the Pro Finlandia medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland.[7]