46 Translation Grants Awarded for Icelandic Works – Strong Interest in Denmark and France
Icelandic Books to Be Published in 22 Languages – Contemporary Works, Poetry, Children's Books, and Classics Among Translations
Applications for translation grants are accepted twice a year—in February and September.
The Icelandic Literature Center provides grants twice annually to support translations of Icelandic books into foreign and Nordic languages. In the second allocation of the year, 50 applications were received, and 33 grants were awarded, totaling ISK 8,040,000. Additionally, 13 grants were awarded for translations into Nordic languages, amounting to ISK 3,150,000. Applications for translation grants are accepted twice a year—in February and September.
Strong Interest from Danish Publishers
Notably, eight Icelandic works received grants for Danish translations this round, reflecting growing interest in Icelandic literature in Denmark. These works include:
- Móðurást – Draumþing by Kristín Ómarsdóttir
- Himintungl yfir heimsins ystu brún by Jón Kalman Stefánsson
- Ég færi þér fjöll by Kristín Marja Baldursdóttir
- Eldri konur by Eva Rún Snorradóttir
- Gegnumtrekkur by Einar Lödvahl
- Alt frá hatti oní skó by Einar Már Guðmundsson
- Sextíu kíló af sunnudögum by Hallgrímur Helgason
- Saknaðarilmur by Elísabet Jökulsdóttir
French Publishers Also Embrace Icelandic Literature
Six works are set to be published in French, as authors such as Jón Kalman Stefánsson, Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir, and Ragnar Jónasson continue to enjoy great success in France. The French translations receiving grants include:
- Stories and Poems by Ásta Sigurðardóttir
- Blokkin á heimsenda by Arndís Þórarinsdóttir and Hulda Sigrún Bjarnadóttir
- Duft: Söfnuður fallega fólksins by Bergþóra Snæbjörnsdóttir
- Sextíu kíló af kjaftshöggum by Hallgrímur Helgason
- Deus by Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir
- Bráðin by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir
Children's Books going global
Three children's books continue their journey abroad:
- Tjörnin by Rán Flygenring will be published in Germany
- Blokkin á heimsenda by Arndís Þórarinsdóttir and Hulda Sigrún Bjarnadóttir will be published in France and North Macedonia
- Ég þori! Ég get! Ég vil! by Linda Ólafsdóttir will be published in Japan
These titles have already been published in other languages or are forthcoming.
In 2026, the Center will place special emphasis on promoting Icelandic children's and young adult literature internationally, with the aim of increasing visibility for these works and their authors.
Poetry on the Move
Poetry translations are well represented among the grants. Soffía Bjarnadóttir's poetry collection Ég er hér will be published in Portuguese, translated by Luciano Dutra and Francescu Cricelli in Brazil. A collection of poems by Sjón will be published in Swedish, translated by John Swedenmark and released by Rámus Publishing. Meanwhile, Wolfgang Schiffer and Jón Þór Gíslason are translating contemporary Icelandic poets into German for publication in Germany.
Hallgrímur Helgason's Trilogy Keeps Traveling
Hallgrímur Helgason's trilogy continues its international journey, with the third book expected in Denmark, the first and second in the United States, and the second in France.
You can view all grant allocations here