Grants allocated for translations into Icelandic from eight languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Russian and Spanish
One-third of the translation grants have been awarded to books for children and young readers.
Diverse writings translated into Icelandic by experienced translators. The picture shows few covers of previosly granted translations into Icelandic.
The Icelandic Literature Center has announced the first of its grant allocations this year for translations into Icelandic. Considerably more funding was allocated than last year, as part of the government's response to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on publishing and on the work of authors and translators in Iceland. Opinion polls indicate that a majority of Icelanders want to be able to read books from other countries in their own language, and hence these grants are of vital importance.
Experienced and new translators translate a diverse range of writings from eight languages
The projects to which grants have been awarded on this occasion span a wide range, including novels, short stories, poetry, books for children and young readers, ancient history, memoirs and scholarly works, as well as picture-books for the youngest readers. On this occasion, one-third of the translation grants have been awarded to books for children and young readers.
Translations will be from Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Russian and Spanish, so Icelandic readers can look forward to plenty of interesting reading from around the world.
The importance of good translators is universally acknowledged, as without them Icelanders would not be able to read foreign books in their own language. Many of this year's translators have years of experience and have received awards and recognition for their work. New translators are also making their first appearance, and it will be interesting to observe their work in the coming years.
Among the works receiving grants in this round are:
· Der Zauberberg by Thomas Mann
· Herkunft by Sasa Stanisic
· The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree by Shokoofeh Azar.
· Largo pétalo de mar by Isabel Allende.
· La vita bugiarda degli adulti by Elena Ferrante.
· Illusions perdues by Honoré de Balzac.
· Factfulness by Hans Rosling, Anna Rönnlund Rosling & Ola Rosling
· The Rumi Collection by Jalaluddin Rumi
· Berg by Ann Quin
· King Kong Théorie by Virginie Despentes
· Wunschloses Unglück by Peter Handke
· Salón de belleza by Mario Bellatin
Books for children & Young adults:
· Die erstaunlichen Abenteuer der Maulina Schmitt 3: Ende des Universums eftir Finn-Ole Heinrich & Rán Flygenring
· Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud & Mark Martin.
· The Ice Monster by David Walliams
· Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
· Mortina by Barbara Cantini
· The Bolds on Holiday by Julian Clary
· L'enfant by Colas Gutman & Delphine Perret
· Anne of Ingleside by E. M. Montgomery
· One of us is lying by Karen M. McManus