Slam event
Three young German writers have spent the last few days in Iceland, assiduously studying Iceland's literary heritage. On the Thursday of May 27 the entourage will perform along with young Icelandic poets at Næsti bar.
Three young German writers have spent the last few days in Iceland, assiduously studying Iceland's literary heritage. The Germans, all of them highly respected in their homeland, are Bas Böttcher, Nora Gomringer (who, it should be noted, considers herself Swiss as well as German) and Finn-Ole Heinrich. Böttcher and Gomringer are known for slam-poetry, while Heinrich has earned accolades for his fiction.
The visit, made possible by the support of Goethe Institut Dänemark, is part of the prelude to Iceland's appearance as guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2011.
The three Germans, accompanied by the Icelanders Bergur Ebbi Benediktsson, Ugla Egilsdóttir and Dóri DNA, have traveled widely around the country, studying the roots of the Icelandic sagas and meeting up with artists and scholars who have drawn on Iceland's literary heritage in their work.
When the journey is completed, the group will perform material inspired by Icelandic literature at various literature festivals in Germany, and ultimately at the 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair.
On the Thursday of May 27, Icelanders can catch a taste of what is to come at downtown watering hole Næsti bar, where the entourage will perform along with young poets Kristín Svava Tómasdóttir and Hildur Lilliendahl.
The slam event at Næsti bar will begin at 9 PM. Free admission.
