Finlandia award gala|This year, Muuse chose the recipient of the Finlandia prize for children’s and young people’s literature.
Endurance runner Mustafa Musella in addition to running, he also possesses the word. Less than a year ago, Muuse gave a memorable and moving speech at the Athlete of the Year gala.
On Thursday, Muuse gave another touching speech at the Finlandia awards for literature. This year, Muuse chose the recipient of the Finlandia prize for children’s and young people’s literature.
It was won by a writer and a poet Tomi Kontio with the work A dog named Cat says goodbye to a friend. Muuse’s speech did not leave anyone cold, but received several thunderous applauses.
The event was televised by Yle. Here is Muuse’s entire speech.
“The world of books has saved me. My childhood was dark in many ways, but books were the sun of my everyday life. They not only taught me to think, they taught me to dream.”
“They gave me the words, and the words gave me protection against marginalization. They gave me the wings that have carried me to this moment. It is because of this experience that I am very concerned about our future together.”
“We talk a lot about accessibility, but the reality is harsh. Books have slowly become a luxury product. Children and young people no longer have equal access to literature, and that’s something we have to fix together.”
In between, Muuse received the first applause from the audience.
“The reason for this is simple. Books are too expensive these days. It seems an absurd idea that we tax children’s and young people’s literature in a way that makes reading a luxury.”
Muuse’s words were immediately followed by even louder applause with howls.
“Books are not a luxury product, but a child’s right. If the price starts to decide who gets to read and who doesn’t, we lose something really important.”
“When I was invited to this honorary position, I initially approached the project very logically. I thought that this would be really straightforward.”
Many in the audience burst out laughing.
“I make a clear criteria, score the works and choose a winner. But very quickly, when I started reading these wonderful nominee books, I realized that it is impossible. Each nominee was unique, different and wonderful in its own way.”
“Ranking them seemed not only difficult, but impossible. When the criteria were not enough, I finally came to the conclusion that I have to choose differently. I decided to choose with my heart. I decided to choose a book that made me feel something big inside. A book that made me stop and even tear up.”
“This work is a masterpiece of how big and difficult things can be talked about gently. It deals with friendship, giving up and the longing that is an inevitable part of life.”
“The writer describes how difference is not an obstacle to connection, but its richness. The text is like poetry, but still so clear that it goes right under the skin.”
“The illustration completes the world of the text so that even the small spaces and silent passages gain meaning. This is a book that I would hope every parent would read to their child, that young people would find as a story companion, and that we adults would also do well to stop by. Because we all need comfort and understanding.”
Moses24, was chosen as the Role Model of the Year at the Sports Gala in January.
The latest feat was seen in mid-November, when Muuse set a new Finnish record for the 10 kilometer road race in Lille, France.
Muuse pressed on with a time of 28:16, which placed him tenth in the race.