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The Mermaid Award
In conjunction with Gothenburg Book Fair’s 40th anniversary in 2024, the iconic symbol from the Book Fair logo became a literary award, called Sjöjungfrun in Swedish. The recipient of the very first “Mermaid Award” was the author Joyce Carol Oates, followed by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in 2025. The Mermaid Award 2026 goes to Jamaica Kincaid.
“Jamaica Kincaid’s books are slim, yet they make the world seem wider. In her novels and essays, she shines a sobering light on our colonial history and family relationships, as well as on the flowers in our gardens. At the same time, she imbues her work with a sensual gaze and life-affirming faith in literature. The Mermaid Award 2026 is presented to a curious writer who helps us understand what it means to be human in a world that constantly finds new ways to devalue the human.”
Jamaica Kincaid
Jamaica Kincaid is an internationally acclaimed author and essayist, known for her sharp, often autobiographical explorations of identity and power. Born on the Caribbean island of Antigua, her upbringing has had a profound influence on her writing and its recurring themes. She made her literary debut with the short story collection At the Bottom of the River (1983) and gained widespread recognition with her novel Annie John (1985).
Her best-known works include the novels Lucy and The Autobiography of My Mother, as well as the influential essay A Small Place, which has reached over a million readers and examines the impact of tourism on her native Antigua. Kincaid has also written extensively about botany and gardening, notably in My Garden (Book):, and was a contributor to The New Yorker for many years. She now lives in the United States, where she is also a professor at Harvard University.
The award was presented at a ceremony during the 2026 Gothenburg Book Fair, followed by an in-depth conversation exploring Jamaica Kincaid’s life and work.
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