Jon Fosse (Nobel)

Jon Olav Fosse, a Norwegian author, translator, and playwright, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his innovative plays and prose. Fosse grew up in a small Norwegian village where he and his Quaker family were surrounded by dramatic landscapes that would later influence his writing. He attended the University of Bergen, where he initially focused on literary theory and philosophy. A Pivotal moment in Fosse's life occurred when at the age of seven, he slipped on ice carrying a glass bottle of fruit juice sending a shard of glass piercing an artery bringing him close to death. During this ordeal, Fosse described experiencing a shimmering light, encountering both peace and beauty. He recalls "I think this experience fundamentally changed me, and perhaps made me a writer". Fosse explained, that this accidental event made its way into his writing when he noted: “I often say that there are two languages: The words that I wrote, the words you can understand, and behind that, there’s a silent language.” And it’s in that “silent language,” he added, that the real meaning may lie. Fosse's plays have established him as one of the most significant voices in contemporary theater. Religion now plays a new role in his life and writing. In 2013, Jon Fosse became a Catholic, which is undoubtedly influencing both his later works and his role to play within the Christian Story.