“I couldn't be more happy about it”

18. October, 2012

After translating countless Icelandic titles for German publishing houses in the build-up to last year's Frankfurt Book Fair, it could be said that Ursula Giger has become one of Switzerland's primary experts on Icelandic literature. She teaches Icelandic in Basel and Zürich, has translated sagas, short stories and novels and moderated appearances by Icelandic authors all across the German-speaking countries. In the summertime, she takes French travellers mountain hiking in Iceland, and is the artistic director of a literature festival in Zofingen, Swiss, where many Icelanders appeared last year in connection with the Frankfurt Book Fair.

“My most enjoyable translating project during the period was, without a doubt, working on the Sagas of Icelanders,” says Ursula. “In many ways, the translator's job is a lonely one. You just pour over the text, and when you run into problems there aren't necessarily many people you can call on for assistance. The entire team working on the sagas, however, met three times during the work period, and at these meet-ups we could solve all kinds of translation problems together and offer mutual encouragement. This was a whopper of a project, both difficult and enjoyable, and it's very gratifying to see the results.” Ursula translated two two works, The Saga of the Heath-Slayings and Hænsna-Þórir's Saga, in S. Fischer's comprehensive collection of the Sagas of Icelanders.

Rock star treatment

Once Ursula had turned in her last translation for the season, she embarked on a tightly-booked promotional schedule for Icelandic literature. “I presented Icelandic writers far and wide, both authors I had translated and others. In the German part of Switzerland alone, fifteen reading evenings with Icelandic authors took place over a six-month period, and an entire literary festival was dedicated to Icelandic literature, with nine Icelandic authors in attendance. That's quite a bit.”

Did the Swiss readers' interest in Icelandic authors surprise her? “At any rate, I wasn't expecting this rock star reception, almost, of Icelandic authors. The same people would come to readings again and again, following the authors between towns and cities to listen to them and procure signed copies. It was fun to experience.”

The promotional work went on after the Frankfurt Book Fair started in October 2011. Ursula moderated many of the author presentations in Iceland's Guest of Honour Pavilion. Did those events differ from the many others she was involved with? “It was enjoyable to follow a project to its conclusion, and go on to take part in the book fair. Usually, translator Tina Flecken and I would work together. We would take turns moderating the author presentations and interpreting on the fly, since the conversations were usually conducted in Icelandic. It turned out well and connected well with the pavilion's audience, which was incredibly large. Those who couldn't get a seat in the auditorium sat on the floor and lined up against the walls to listen to the authors. It was a wonderful sight.”

Expanding interest in Switzerland

“In Switzerland, I'm noticing a expanding interest in Iceland since the Guest of Honour year,” Ursula says. “Last autumn, students of Icelandic in Basel and Zürich doubled in number. In one course, the number climbed from about 15 to 30, and in the other from 12 to 22. I wasn't expecting so many, and am excited to see the numbers this winter.”

And what's next on the agenda for Ursula? “The Zofingen literary festival has all my attention these days. After the success enjoyed by Icelandic authors there last year, I was hired as artistic director of the festival. I couldn't be more happy about it. The festival is held in immediate succession to the Frankfurt Book Fair, and authors from each year's Guest of Honour are featured. New Zealand is 2012's Guest of Honour, and will be in the spotlight this time.”