Fabulous Iceland at the Leipzig Book Fair
Kristín Steinsdóttir and Andri Snær Magnason promoted their books.
The Leipzig Book Fair in Germany was held from 18 to 21 March. It is the second-largest book fair in Germany, held each year in March. Last year 147,000 people attended the Fair; this is about half the number who attend the Frankfurt Book Fair each year. Exhibitors at Leipzig number 2,345, from 38 countries.
At this year's Leipzig Book Fair two Icelandic promoted their books: Kristín Steinsdóttir read from and discussed her book Á eigin vegum, published in German as Eigene Wege by the C. H. Beck publishing house, and Andri Snær Magnason presented his Lovestar, published by Bastei Lübbe.
This is the second year that Sagenhaftes Island/Fabulous Iceland participates in the Leipzig Book Fair. The Icelandic embassy in Berlin, in collaboration with the other Nordic embassies, undertook the planning of the joint Nordic stand at the exhibition. Funding for the embassies' contribution was provided by the Nordic Cultural Fund.
The Icelandic stand attracted many visitors, who were keen to examine the many Icelandic books on show. Information booklets on Iceland and Icelandic literature were snapped up and interest in Iceland and Icelandic literature, now when there are only few months before Iceland will be receiving from Argentina the beacon of Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, was great. That ceremony will take place at the end of the Frankfurt Book Fair this autumn; the Fair will be open from 6 to 10 October.
One of the high points of the Leipzig Book Fair was when about 400 guests attended Die Lange Nacht der Nordischen Literatur, the Long Night of Nordic Literature. Kristín Steinsdóttir and Andri Snær Magnason were among the guests.
