The Frankfurt Book Fair 2021: Panel discussion on the success of Icelandic literature abroad
The Frankfurt Book Fair took place 20 - 24 October but this year marks the ten years anniversary of Iceland being the Guest of Honour at the Fair. To this occasion The Icelandic Literature Center took part in a panel discussion in Frankfurt to discuss the Icelandic participation in 2011, Icelandic literature abroad today and the importance of translations.
Ten years anniversary of Iceland being the Guest of Honour
The Frankfurt Book Fair took place 20 - 24 October but this year marks the ten years anniversary of Iceland being the Guest of Honour at the Fair. To this occasion The Icelandic Literature Center took part in a panel discussion in Frankfurt to discuss the Icelandic participation in 2011, Icelandic literature abroad today and the importance of translations. The event was a cooperation between Icelandic Literature Center, The Frankfurt Book Fair and Business Iceland.
Participants in the discussion were Juergen Boos, director of The Frankfurt Book Fair, Hallgrímur Helgason, author, Tina Flecken, translator, Halldór Guðmundsson, former director of the Icelandic Guest of Honour participation and Hrefna Haraldsdóttir, director of Icelandic Literature Center. Thomas Böhm moderated the discussion which took place at the ARD stage in Frankfurt and was streamed online. You can still watch the discussion here.
Icelandic literature read all over the world
The participants discussed the successful participation in 2011, the Sagenhaftes Island project, which was the title of the Icelandic Guest of Honour project, and what kind of impact it had on Icelandic literature and authors. Furthermore they talked about the increase in translations of Icelandic books and how important they are for authors in order to reach new readers.
Guest of Honor 2021: Canada
Canada was the Guest of Honour this year, and was also supposed to be in focus in 2020, which didn´t take place due to the pandemic. Their Pavilion was both in Frankfurt and online and their slogan was Singular plurality, focusing on diversity and inclusivity.
Back to normal in 2022
The Frankfurt Book Fair was substantially smaller than in recent years but the fair's organizers plan on everything being back to normal next year, where Spain will be the Guest of Honour country. Publishers, authors and agents will hopefully gather together again next year to the largest event of its kind in the world.