Geert Buelens’ publication ‘Wat we toen al wisten’ nominated for Boon Literatuurprijs 2023
Geert Buelens’ book ‘Wat we toen al wisten: de vergeten groene geschiedenis van 1972’ (What We Knew Back Then. The Forgotten Green History of 1972) is on the longlist for the Flemish . From over eight hundred submitted books, the jury has selected fifteen nominees who are still competing for the Boon fiction and non-fiction award.
In mid-January, the shortlist will be announced (five books per genre). Then, in 23 March, the Boon for fiction and non-fiction and the Boon for children’s and youth literature will be awarded in Ghent.
‘Wat we toen al wisten’
The environmental crisis is older than many people think, and so is the scientific and political battle over it. After all, this year is exactly fifty years since the Club of Rome raised public awareness with its report ‘Limits to Growth’.
Buelens uses films, television series, novels, comics, news items and official reports from the year 1972 to show what we already knew back then about crowding out the world, what we have learned from it – and what not.
Boon Literatuurprijs
De Boon, financed by the Flemish government, is an annual literature prize. It aims to increase the visibility and naturalness of literature in Flanders, give authors and illustrators the recognition they deserve, and entice people to read, borrow and buy books.
The prize money for the Boon in each category amounts to 50,000 euros. Each author and/or illustrator on the shortlist of five titles also receives 2,500 euros. Both Flemish and Dutch authors and illustrators are eligible.
Update 13 January 2023
Today it was announced that ‘Wat we toen al wisten’ has made the shortlist for the 2023 Boon Literature Prize. Together with four other authors, Geert Buelens is still competing for the Boon. The winner will be announced on 30 March.