|
OCTOBER 24, 2003 at 6:06 PM
Posted by GRAE
Source: FPA Channel via The Leaky Cauldron
As reported earlier, Harry Potter author JK Rowling received the 2003 Prince of Asturias Award for Concord
, and now her acceptance speech is available online.
Here are some brief excerpts:
I wanted to depict the ambiguities of a society where bigotry, cruelty, hypocrisy and corruption are rife, the better to show how truly heroic it is, whatever your age, to fight a battle that can never be won. And I also wanted to reflect the fact that life can be difficult and confusing between the ages of eleven and seventeen, even when armed with a wand.
Children need stories because they need to test their imaginations, try on other people's ideas, inhabit other lives, send their minds where their bodies are not yet mature enough to go. No film, no television programme, no computer or video game can ever duplicate the magic that occurs when the reader's imagination meets the author's to create a unique, private kingdom.
JK also announced that she will be donating her prize money to the International Reading Association's Developing Countries Fund, which promotes literacy worldwide.
For those interested, a huge gallery of photos from Rowling's award ceremony has been set up. Many thanks to El Cronista de Salem for again providing a special treat like this.
Reader Comments (33)
click to read...
Your Thoughts
click to write...
Copyright © 2002-2010 HPANA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. 
HPANA is an unofficial fan site, in no way affiliated with J.K. Rowling,
Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros. Entertainment. All
trademarks and copyrighted material are the property of their respective owners.
About HPANA | Movie 6 | Send a news tip | Contact us | Privacy policy
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1645
morgana witch says:
That's nice. It seems that she wants her books to be realistic, which she definetly has succeded in!
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 6:23 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 9051
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
A very nice touch. My hope is that the sentiments and the desire to motivate children to read, will auger well for a somewhat happy, rather than tragic, ending.
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 6:23 PM EST
Crookshanks Caretaker
Points: 3837
hermionefan1 says:
Awesome interview, i LOVE it. She is soooo cool. Good speech JKR, Kudos.
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 6:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 574
Tonks007 says:
That interview is sweet i think she gives great speaches and her words are inspiring to many because of the Harry Potter books and how she makes words flow in the right way and motivates people and expands peoples imaginations.
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 7:36 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1303
jaxsynlittrell says:
She is a very eloquent person indeed. I just hope she realizes how true those words really are, and how great she is at carrying the reader to a new place when they become immersed in her books.
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 7:55 PM EST
Animagus
Points: 19544
Sirius-Ella says:
Awesome just exactly what morgana said....
multioptilpupiloptimy
-sirius-ella-
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 8:05 PM EST
Points: 616
Minister of Magic says:
I liked those excepts, its true what she says... I wonder if some site will post pictures from this event
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 8:44 PM EST
Marauder
Points: 3954
jade says:
I think that was a great speech and she has immersed us all in her world of imagination. Its is so lovely of her to give her money to a charity which she does with lots of her money. She is a geniuly nice person :)
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 8:45 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1068
Penumbra says:
I loved her speech, specially when she says how confusing life is during adolescence even if you have a wand. I think that it makes teenagers realise many things and most important knowing that they aren't alone and that things could be worse.. everyone has a bad and depressing day even when you can fix almost everything!
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 9:15 PM EST
Witch
Points: 585
Joyce says:
I think it is wonderful that she will be donating her prize money to a worthy cause.
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 9:22 PM EST
Lycanthropist for W.S.S.
Points: 3603
Alchemist 530 says:
"Battles that can't be won"??? Oh, that doesn't sound very good, does it? She did quite a good job showing all the "bigotry, cruelty, hypocrisy and corruption" in OOTP- and she's giving her money to charity! She's the best...
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 9:34 PM EST
Transfiguration Professor
Points: 2990
Choralee says:
Awesome words from an awesome author! I agree with her statement about the imaginations of the reader and the author connecting - that is what makes a book come alive! Very cool!
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 10:16 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 548
alfonso llama says:
A very well written speech, and it's even better that she's giving the prize money to such a worthy cause (worthier even than Fred and George's joke shop that Harry funds with his prize money in book four). This just shows she's not only a great author, but a great person, and is AMAZINGLY down to earth considering her success (and never greedy).
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 10:43 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23488
KT Lady says:
Hooray for J.K! She gave a wonderful speech!
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 11:33 PM EST
Gryffindor Diva
Points: 5496
Deanna says:
Wow, great speech! Congrats to her, she definitely deserves it. But, "battles that can't be won?" Does that worry anyone else who doesn't want Harry to die? *laughs*
Deanna
Posted Oct 24, 2003 at 11:52 PM EST
Snape's Woman
(Moderator)
Points: 5392
Prof. Andaxia Moonstar says:
What a great speech - she is truly eloquent in her use of language. And another good thing she has done, donating that money to help promote literacy, so more people can experience the joys of books.
Posted Oct 25, 2003 at 12:56 AM EST
Witch
Points: 585
harryzbestgurl says:
WHAT A GREAT SPEECH!!! It's so nice of her to donate her prize money to such a good cause!!! JKR is such a generous person!
Posted Oct 25, 2003 at 1:08 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1303
wahnaroo22 says:
Very nice speach and she deserved the award. Most famous people have other people write their speaches. Do you think she did? It would seem sensible her being a writer, but some writers do hire someone.
Posted Oct 25, 2003 at 1:37 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2391
HPN4eveRon says:
Thats so cool. I am really proude of JKR. Keep up the good work!
Posted Oct 25, 2003 at 1:47 AM EST
Witch
Points: 750
siriusgurl says:
Whoa thats one good speech, and I really agree with her views on society. This is the same one that was talked about before right?
Posted Oct 25, 2003 at 9:30 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 603
Padfoot7 says:
Have I mentioned I LOVE JK ROWLING??? She is just my favorite person on the planet.
Posted Oct 25, 2003 at 10:34 PM EST
Squib
Points: 110
Ansley says:
I'm always so glad when J.K. gets recognized! she's done so much for everyone that she deserves everything she gets.
Posted Oct 25, 2003 at 10:44 PM EST
Witch
Points: 561
zorro says:
I totoel agree with hpn4everon. that is realy nice.
Posted Oct 26, 2003 at 12:52 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1908
Opera Ghost says:
That's exactly how that sentence sounded to me, too, Deanna22! But I was afraid to say it first! *shudders*
And in reading the speech, I was again reminded of the people in other countries buying the books in English instead of waiting for it in their own language...I don't think I am smart enough to learn to read a whole book in another language, but for Harry Potter I would have to make the effort, I sure couldn't wait...I have trouble waiting now! So congratulations JKR, well deserved! Thanks for your imagination, talent, hard work, and your generous heart!
Posted Oct 26, 2003 at 3:23 AM EST
Metamorphmagus
Points: 37946
tonks black says:
And thats exactly why i love reading - i can form my own images in my head and stretch my imagination. hehe. if i stretch it anymore it might break.
Posted Oct 26, 2003 at 9:47 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1092
quidditch_queen says:
Nice. I agree with morgana witch too. JK want her books to be realistic. I think that's cool and she did it.
Posted Oct 26, 2003 at 1:40 PM EST
Back to top of page