Award goes to an exceptionally versatile Danish translator who has translated more than 130 Finnish books
Siri Nordborg Møller wins Finnish State Award for Foreign Translators
The 2026 Finnish State Award for Foreign Translators has been presented to the distinguished Danish translator Siri Nordborg Møller (b. 1981), whose work has greatly broadened the international visibility of Finnish literature. The EUR 15,000 award has been granted annually since 1975 by the Ministry of Education and Culture based on a proposal from FILI – Finnish Literature Exchange.
Over the course of her remarkable career, Siri Nordborg Møller has translated more than 130 Finnish books. She began her work as a translator in 2006 while studying for a Master’s degree in Finnish at the University of Copenhagen. Since then, she has translated a wide range of acclaimed fiction, including seven books by Leena Krohn; works by Matias Riikonen, Johanna Sinisalo and Pajtim Statovci; crime novels by Satu Rämö Max Seeck and Arttu Tuominen; poetry by Sirkka Turkka; graphic novels by JP Ahonen and Tommi Musturi; nonfiction by Mia Kankimäki; and many internationally appealing children’s and young adult books, such as Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen’s Tatu and Patu series and works by Siiri Enoranta, Vilja‑Tuulia Huotarinen, Siri Kolu and Timo Parvela. She is currently working on Arttu Tuominen’s Delta crime series and Naraka, a fantasy novel by Elina Pitkäkangas.
According to Nordborg Møller, versatility has always been central to her work. She aims to accept every translation assignment offered to her so she can present Danish readers with as broad a range of Finnish literature as possible.
“Siri Nordborg Møller has an exceptionally wide ranging body of work, and she has been highly productive as a translator. Through her active contribution she has introduced the richness and diversity of Finnish literature to readers in Denmark and increased the international presence of Finnish writing. Translators play a vital role in bringing Finnish literature to new audiences abroad,” says Minister of Science and Culture Mari‑Leena Talvitie.
Finnish literature is currently being published in Danish in impressive numbers. “According to FILI’s statistics, Danish had the third‑highest number of Finnish titles published last year, after German and Estonian. Altogether, 28 Finnish books appeared in Danish, seven of them translated by Siri Nordborg Møller,” says FILI’s Director Tiia Strandén.
Siri Nordborg Møller notes that every book brings its own inspiration and challenge. From time to time, she encounters novels whose language resonates so strongly that the translation process becomes pure joy.
“Such works include Anu Kaaja’s Katie‑Kate, Katri Lipson’s The Ice Cream Man, Matias Riikonen’s Matara, Johanna Sinisalo’s Not Before Sundown, Siiri Enoranta’s Summer Storm, Vilja‑Tuulia Huotarinen’s Light Light Light and all of Leena Krohn’s works,” Nordborg Møller says.
She has also translated a substantial body of children’s and young adult literature. Picture books with minimal text may appear simple to translate, but they often contain names and wordplay that demand great ingenuity.
“The Tatu and Patu books are in a class of their own. Their humour and chaos have to be conveyed to Danish readers with energy and wit. The most challenging of all was Tatu and Patu: Monster‑Monster and Other Strange Stories, written entirely in rhyme. Translating it was enormous fun, but at times it felt almost impossible.”
Inquiries and requests for interview: Hannele Jyrkkä, Communications Manager, FILI – Finnish Literature Exchange [email protected], tel. +358 50 322 2387
• Siri Nordborg Møller’s translations
• Translations of Finnish literature into other languages