Jo Nesbo given the Peer Gynt Prize

Crime writing superstar Jo Nesbø has joined a prestigious and exclusive list of high-achieving Norwegians after being named this year's winner of the 'Peer Gynt' Award. 

Nesbø, who has had skyrocketing international success for his crime novels starring Harry Hole over the past few years, was voted by Members of Parliament as the person who had done the most to make Norway better known abroad. 

The Peer Gynt Award has been given out for 43 years to Norwegians who have "distinguished themselves in a positive manner at home as well as making Norway proud overseas". The inaugural winner was Einar Gerhardsen, the long-time prime minister who was viewed as a national father figure for his reconstruction efforts after the war. Last year’s winners were Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and skiing queen Marit Bjørgen. Other winners have included explorer Thor Heyerdahl, former prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, industrialist Kjell Inge Røkke and football star Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Winners make up “a very exclusive group of people who all have been wonderful role models,” said Berit Brørby, leader of the Stiftelsen foundation’s nominations committee

The award will be presented to Nesbø on 2 August.