Henriette Steenstrup awarded Telenor’s Culture Prize 2024

A real master at obliterating the boundaries of genre

Irrespective of whether she appears in comedy, serious drama or a variety show, Steenstrup adds a distinctive presence. She regularly accomplishes something that very few actors are capable of: Making her audiences forget that they are watching a performance.

“I am thrilled and overwhelmed to receive this prize from Telenor. And I want to take the opportunity to be a little bit pompous and add that I am especially pleased that Telenor has chosen to present this award to my particular field, which is tv, film and theatre. This is acknowledgement that storytelling can bring us all together. And I personally think it is important that we humans can gather around the campfire to hear stories that give us common references,” says Henriette Steenstrup.

From child actor to nationwide star

Henriette Steenstrup had her debut as an actor when she was a child, with parts in “Christmas time in Skomakergata”, “C-Blokk Bandet” and “Kykelikokos”. As the Jury states: “She has never opted for an either-or approach but has alternated between various performing arts through her whole career, whether as an employee at The National Theatre in Oslo, or as part of the comedy collective Thursday evening from Nydalen”.

In the TV-series Pørni, Henriette Steenstrup’s skills are on full display. Not only does she take on the lead role with great prowess, but she is also the scriptwriter and creator of the series. Each episode offers a miniature portrait of everyday life with all its facets and the series has garnered a viewership that spans generations.

Recently it was announced that Netflix has acquired the rights to “Pørni”, and the series has already received a lot of attention internationally. It is now available in several countries, which goes to show that the themes raised by Steenstrup are universal and resonate with people irrespective of age or cultural background.

Living the Telenor vision

The Telenor Culture Prize entitled “Boundless Communication” is awarded annually. It was awarded for the first time in 1995. The prize was set up in recognition of individuals, groups or institutions that have made a significant contribution to culture, across geographical, social and cultural borders.

Sigve Brekke, President and CEO of Telenor, says this year’s winner is both an impressive artist as well as a source of inspiration.

“We congratulate Henriette Steenstrup as the winner of Telenor’s Culture Prize 2024. Henriette communicates by breaking down barriers – while also making sure that her message resonates across geographies and cultures. Through her work, Steenstrup amplifies and celebrates cultural diversity. She demonstrates how great art can be a powerful way of communicating – which is fully in line with Telenor’s vision of connecting people. We are really pleased with the jury’s choice,” says Brekke.

Unique communication skills

Henriette Steenstrup has through the years developed a unique ability to merge comedy and the serious in her work. Her ability to navigate seamlessly through different formats and her talent for bringing people together has made her an important voice in Norway’s cultural scene.

The Telenor Culture Prize Jury emphasizes Henriette Steenstrup’s ability to communicate a clear message through her comprehensive body of work. The jury goes on to describe her style of communication as unique:

“Henriette has a unique ability to build bridges between different art forms. Her versatility and her gift for combining deeply serious topics with hard-hitting comedy makes her an outstanding artist. This versatility makes it hard to fit her into any specific category, but it also contributes to ensure that her output is so remarkable. It is not the genre but the presence she brings that defines her,” says Jury Chair Martin Eia-Revheim.

The Jury

The Telenor Culture Prize 2024 jury consists of Martin Eia-Revheim, Project Manager at Sparebankstiftelsen DNB and Head of the Jury; Lars Saabye Christensen, Author; Ingrid Lorentzen, Artistic Director of the National Ballet; Henrik Mestad, Actor; Alexandra Archetti Stølen, Festival Manager at Oslo World; and Randi Winnem Due, Vice President and Head of Corporate Events at Telenor Group.

About the prize

Telenor’s Culture Prize – Boundless Communication – is a central part of the Telenor Culture Programme. The prize is awarded for innovative performance or communication-related activities at the highest level, within or across artistic forms of expression.

For more about the Telenor Culture Programme and previous winners please visit telenor.com.