Collective value? Finland‐Swedish literature in the Nordic literary prize culture

Abstract Unlike many other minority literatures, Finland‐Swedish literature is very well embodied in the literary prize culture. Statistically, Finland‐Swedish authors are overrepresented among the nominees and recipients of the largest and most prestigious awards in Sweden and Finland, as well as the major joint Nordic literary prizes. Taking as a departure in Gilles Deleuze's and Félix Guattari's concept of “minor literature,” where everything assumes a “collective value,” I examine in this article how the collective value is negotiated by different actors in the literary field when Finland‐Swedish authors are awarded some of the most prestigious prizes. The study is based on discursive readings of the reporting on the prizes in the Finland‐Swedish press and of authors' acceptance speeches. The study shows that both the Finland‐Swedish authors and the cultural journalists often see the literature prizes as an honor for Finland‐Swedish literature in general. Thus, the prestige and the various forms of capital at stake accrue not only to the prize‐winning author but are also shared by all those involved in Finland‐Swedish literature.