Flesvig will be the 12th recipient of the Honorary Award, which has been awarded since 2009.
The jury consists of actor and former Minister of Culture Ellen Horn, editor-in-chief of Se og Hør Ulf André Andersen and former mayor of Oslo, and Wenche Foss’ son, Fabian Stang.
The award is justified as follows:
Herman Flesvig has been open about vulnerable aspects of himself, the jury writes in its reasoning. About his life with the ADHD diagnosis. It takes courage and generosity to give of oneself when one lives in the spotlight. The jury believes Herman Flesvig is a solid fellow human being and will praise his ability to keep in touch with the ground even if the audience interest is great.
Wenche Foss’ honorary award is given to a person, organization or institution that can be strongly associated with Wenche’s joy of life, ability to communicate and commitment – both in and outside the artistic arena.
Previously, major profiles such as Trond-Viggo Torgersen (2009), Hege Schøyen (2010) and Pia Tjelta (2018), have been awarded the honorary award.
– I did not see it coming
– It is very overwhelming to receive an honorary award, I did not see it coming. And especially when I see who has got it before me, there are people I look up to who have got it before. Robert Stoltenberg received the award last year, he is my great role model.
Flesvig says that he was surprised when he heard that he was going to receive the award, and had to ask if it was a misunderstanding.
– At first I thought this must be nonsense. But then it turned out that I had received the award. It’s absolutely amazing.
Open about the diagnosis
Flesvig has long been open about its diagnosis of ADHD. The comedian says he himself lacked openness about the diagnosis when he was younger. He hopes his openness can help others.
– I felt very alone when I was diagnosed. But now is a part of me. I think there are many out there who have ADHD, and who think it is good to be open about the diagnosis. If I can be a front figure for that, it’s very big for me.
Gets 100,000 kroner
The Wenche Foss’ Honorary Prize has a cash prize of NOK 100,000 and can be shared between several recipients. Flesvig will share the prize with ADHD Norway.
What are you going to spend the money on?
– They will go into the savings account. I will need it when my career starts to go downhill. Then I have something to live on.
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