Icelandic Works and Authors Extremely Well Received at the 2019 Gothenburg Book Fair

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir, Kristín Ómarsdóttir, Ragnar Jónasson, and Sigrún Eldjárn discussed various topics, such as tradition and modernity, imagination and lyricism, crime fiction and superheroes.

14. October, 2019

Auður Ava in the Main Programme at the Book Fair

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir, recipient of the The Nordic Council Literature Prize, appeared in an interesting and popular event with the writer Dörte Hansen from Germany and Elin Olofsson from Sweden, where they discussed the various aspects of the crossroads of tradition and modernity and the progressive and the conservative, with regard to their latest books. The headline was När gammalt möter nytt [When the old meets the new]. The discussion was hosted by the renowned Swedish reporter and dramaturg Anneli Dufva.

Kristín and John Recited Poetry at Rum för poesi

Kristín Ómarsdóttir recited poetry in the poetry programme Rum för poesi [Room for poetry]. She is nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize this year for her book of poetry Kóngulær í sýningargluggum [Spiders in shop windows]. The translator John Swedenmark read the poems first in Swedish translation and then Kristín followed with a reading in the original Icelandic to much acclaim.

Auður Ava and Kristín Discussed Lyrical Language

Auður Ava and Kristín also participated in an event hosted by the Swedish translator John Swedenmark in Världskulturmuséet in Gothenburg called Att skapa och skaka om världen. They talked extensively about imagination and the limitless lyrical language, and also read from their works. The event was hosted in collaboration with  Litteraturhuset in Gothenburg, The Icelandic Embassy in Stockholm, and Föreningen Norden. 

Ragnar in Conversation on Crime Writing in Crimetime

Crimetime is a programme on crime fiction that is now a part of the Gothenburg Book Fair for the second year in a row. Ragnar and reporter Lotta Olsson had a lively discussion about Ragnar's writing, the development of his characters, and several other topics at an event called Möt Islands nyakrimstjärna! (eet Iceland's new star of crime fiction) Ragnar is immensely popular among Swedish readers and his book The Darkness (Icel. Dimma) is listed as one of the books of the year in Sweden and was the bestseller on the Akademibokhandeln list for weeks last spring. His novel The Island (Icel. Drungi) is also available in Swedish, both novels are published by Modernista in Sweden.

Sigrún Eldjárn Entertained Children in Gothenburg

Sigrún Eldjárn appeared at the Book Fair in the children's programme Barnsalongen. She told the children about her books on Sigurfljóð, which she both writes and illustrates, read to the children and showed them pictures. Sigrún also appeared at an event for Icelanders living in Gothenburg at Språkcentrum in the city centre. The venue was full of children of all ages and their parents who were happy with the visit. The Icelandic culture club, under the management of the Icelandic consul in Gothenburg, hosted the event in collaboration with the Icelandic mother tongue teacher in the city.

Icelandic Books in the Booth

In addition to organizing the participation of authors in the Book Fair's programme, the Icelandic Literature Center manages a booth in collaboration and with the endorsement of Promote Iceland. In this booth Icelandic books are presented, promoted and sold by the Icelandic Publishers' Association, which endeavors to offer a good selection of Icelandic literature in Swedish translation, which is popular with guests at the Fair. During the four days of the Fair there was a steady influx of guests who were interested in Icelandic literature, authors, the language, and the country in general. The design of the booth was in the hands of HAF studio.