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Billede af Kim Leine og Hilde Sandvik
Zadie Smith is one of the most important British authors of the 21st century. She is coming to Denmark to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Prize 2026 - and the celebration continues at the International Authors' Stage when she visits The Black Diamond.

Photo: Det Kgl. Bibliotek

Clone of International Authors' Stage: Zadie Smith (UK)

Since Zadie Smith debuted with the novel White Teeth in 2000, she has established herself as one of the sharpest voices of her generation. Now you can experience her live in The Black Diamond.

Since her debut with White Teeth in 2000, Zadie Smith has established herself as one of the defining literary voices of her generation. Her writing spans essays, short stories, drama, children’s books and novels. Now you can experience her live in The Black Diamond.

Her novels are filled with misunderstandings and conflicts rooted in cultural and social differences. Yet Smith insists that people can always act despite the structures that shape them. This gives her writing both strength and courage.

“You simply become wiser by reading Zadie Smith.”
– Katrine Sommer Boysen, Jyllands-Posten

In the Queen’s Hall at The Black Diamond, Zadie Smith will be interviewed about her writing. During the conversation, readings from her novels and essays will also be included.

Participants

Zadie Smith (b. 1975) is one of the most important British writers of the 21st century. Her most recent Danish publications include the Danish translation of The Fraud (2024) and the essay collection Feel Free (2025). She lives in north-west London, where she was born and raised.

Experience the event at your public library

Royal Danish Library is collaborating with Danish public libraries to bring live events from The Black Diamond to audiences across the country. Check your local library’s programme to see whether the interview with Zadie Smith will be livestreamed there.

The event is part of the series International Authors' Stage

Two chairs on stage for the International Authors' Stage while the audience finds their seats

Photo: Malthe Ivarsson / Det Kgl. Bibliotek

Meet the greatest authors of the time from all over the world for in-depth conversations in The Black Diamond's beautiful event hall, the Queen's Hall. International Authors' Stage was founded in 2008, and has since hosted more than 150 authors from around the world.

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