Naja Marie Aidt Denmark
Naja Marie Aidt, born in Greenland 1963, made her debut as a writer in 1991 with her collection of poems Så længe jeg er ung (As Long as I’m Young). Since then she has published eight additional collections of poetry and three collections of short stories. Furthermore, she has written several plays, children’s books, song lyrics and the screenplay for the puppet film Strings (2005). Naja Marie Aidt is currently living and writing in New York City.
All of Naja Marie Aidt’s short stories have been translated into German, and her the critically acclaimed and most recent collection of short stories Bavian (Baboon) (Gyldendal, 2006) has been sold for translation to Sweden, Norway, Germany, France, Canada, the Czech Republic and Latvia.
Sorrow and happiness, pain, fear and trust, shine through Naja Marie Aidt’s short stories in a way that has a classic touch but is surprisingly innovative and multi-faceted. They imply something as rare and genuine as wisdom of life.
Naja Marie Aidt has been awarded The Nordic Council’s Annual Literature Award in 2008 as well as the Critic’s Choice Award with the collection of short stories Bavian (Baboon). In 2006 she received the The Danish Art Foundation’s Award for Lifelong Service in 2006. In 1994 Naja Marie Aidt was awarded the Danish Fund for the Endowment of the Arts 3-year bursary.
Alting blinker
(Everything Glitters)
Gyldendal, 2009
Poems about suddenly finding oneself somewhere else in the world, about feeling like and being a stranger, but also winning new territory and understanding new meanings, languages and stories. Everything changes and disintegrates and the poet is surprised how being away from home, being an immigrant influence identities, the sense of belonging and life. The book examines ideas such as homelessness and attachment, freedom and dependency. The tone is light, picturesque and humourous and sometimes even absurd.
Excerpts from reviews:
“Naja Marie Aidt has written a great, rich collection, with many layers.” Politiken
“Do I need to add that I give Alting blinker my warmest recommendation.” JyllandsPosten
“Aidt’s poetry is sensual and reflective, visual and factual, free-flowing and tightly structured, childishly naive and adultly mature, exotic and simple, erotic and tough - all at the same time - and a huge joy to read.” Information