Luni Smil receives the Children's Culture Prize 2018

Viborg: "There were several good candidates for the Nordea Foundation's "Good Life" prize - Viborg's children's culture prize - but it was Luni's red nose, warm smile and, not least, big heart that won this year."

Sådan indledes forklaringen på, hvorfor netop Lene Mortensen – eller Luni Smil – vinder Børnekulturprisen 2018, som Institut for Børnekultur i Viborg står bag.

The fine words are followed by:

"When Lene Mortensen with her red nose and blue sailor hat becomes Luni Smil, she becomes a mirror. A person who is not afraid to show and share vulnerability, tenderness, silence in a short or long moment of present contact. She is able to bridge the gap between people and spread joy and laughter".

Here, the next day, Lene Mortensen can hardly believe she has won the prize.

- I was hugely moved by the words that were said when I stood on stage last night. The way others have seen me - it really means a lot to me. I may be in clown clothes, but I don't get the prize for being a "fall on my tail clown", but for my presence with children. I am very grateful and humbled," says Lene Mortensen.

A number of people were nominated for the award, and among them Ellen Østerby (ballet school in Viborg), Anne Mette Langmach (local dynamo in music life for children) and the caring clown Luni Smil were nominated.