Jon Olav Fosse is a Norwegian author and dramatist. In 2023, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature “for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable.” He is the most performed Norwegian playwright after Henrik Ibsen.
Jon Fosse Biography
Jon Olav Fosse, a prominent figure in the world of literature, was born on September 29, 1959, in Haugesund, a picturesque coastal town nestled in the heart of Rogaland, Norway. Fosse’s life took a dramatic turn at the tender age of seven when he confronted a harrowing accident, an incident that would go on to leave an indelible mark on his life’s trajectory.
The near-death experience during childhood would later serve as a profound wellspring of inspiration, profoundly shaping the themes and motifs that would permeate his adult writing endeavors.
In the intricate tapestry of his personal life, he divides his time among diverse places, each with its own unique charm. One such destination is Hainburg an der Donau, nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Austria.
Here, he shares his moments with his second wife, a Slovakian beauty, adding an international touch to their union. Beyond the enchanting Austrian vistas, he has also established a firm presence in Bergen, a coastal gem that is steeped in Norwegian culture.
However, his connection to Norway extends beyond Bergen, as he possesses not one, but two homes in the western reaches of this Nordic nation, a testament to his enduring connection to his roots.
Delving into the depths of his spiritual journey, we uncover a transformation that is as profound as it is personal. Originally, he walked the path of the Church of Norway, its traditions and beliefs shaping his worldview. Yet, the sands of time brought a profound evolution to his spiritual identity.
In a significant shift, he transitioned to Catholicism during the years 2012 to 2013. This transition, no doubt, brought about profound introspection and change, leading him down a different spiritual path. A path that diverged from his earlier affiliations, reflecting a deeper search for meaning and connection.
Jon Fosse Career
Jon Fosse has won the 2023 Nobel Prize in literature, “for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable.”
The 64-year-old playwright is not well-known outside his home country of Norway, where he was born on the western coast in the city of Haugesund. But the author is internationally celebrated in literary circles and has been called “the most produced living playwright.”
He has won prestigious European awards and has long been fully subsidized by the Norway government, with a lifetime stipend and a residence near the Royal Palace in Oslo. In 2007 he was made a Knight in France’s National Order of Merit.
In its citation, the Nobel committee wrote, “His immense oeuvre, written in Norwegian Nynorsk and spanning a variety of genres consists of a wealth of plays, novels, poetry collections, essays, children’s books and translations. While he is today one of the most widely performed playwrights in the world, he has also become increasingly recognised for his prose.”
The author has often been called “the new Henrik Ibsen,” and Samuel Beckett was evoked by the chairman of the Nobel committee as he discussed Fosse’s “artistry in the wake of modernism” during his announcement. But Damion Searls made a different comparison in a 2015 essay in The Paris Review.
“Think of the four elder statesmen of Norwegian letters as a bit like the Beatles,” he wrote. “Per Petterson is the solid, always dependable Ringo; Dag Solstad is John, the experimentalist, the ideas man; Karl Ove Knausgaard is Paul, the cute one; and Fosse is George, the quiet one, mystical, spiritual, probably the best craftsman of them all.”
The playwright began as a novelist, and did not break through as a theater writer until he was in his 40s. His international reputation as a playwright was sealed in 1998, with a Paris production of his first play Nokon kjem til å komme (in English, Someone Is Going to Come), which had been written in 1992. Since then, his work has been performed in more than 60 countries around the world, according to his translator, Ann Henning Jocelyn.
The Nobel Committee has been criticized for its focus on European and Anglo writers. In the past 20 years, only five writers of color have been awarded the literature prize. Last year’s award went to French writer Annie Ernaux, now 83.
Jon Fosse age
Jon Fosse was born on September 29, 1959 and is 63 years old now.
Jon Fosse Parent
His father was a manager of Strandebarm Cooperative, his mother was a homemaker.
Jon Fosse net worth
As of June 1, 2023, Jon Fosse’s estimated net worth is approximately $5 million.
Jon Fosse wife
His second wife is Anna Fosse, whom he married in 2013. Anna Fosse is Slovakian, and the couple lives in Hainburg an der Donau, Austria.
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