Among Czechs there has long been a high level of interest in Nordic literature. Our grandparents were eager to get their hands on the books of Knut Hamsun, Sigrid Undset and Selma Lagerlöf; they also went to the theatre to see the plays of Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg. The huge popularity of contemporary Nordic literature is due in no small part to the region’s celebrated crime fiction – Stieg Larsson, Jo Nesbø and Jussi Adler-Olsen are names known by a great many Czechs today.
The Book World Guest of Honour are in 2016 in frame of the campaign #ReadNordic the Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The aim of the guest of honour is to present current literary in Nordic literature and introduce us books written by authors coming to the fair.
The wide-ranging programme of discussions will be complemented with book signings, presentations, competitions, exhibitions, and events for children and gastronomes. Many events will be organized directly at the unique Nordic stand (S201) in the middle of the Central hall designed by students from Czech Technical University Markéta Rádková and Monika Fišerová.
Participating Nordic authors and experts are:
Norway: Jostein Gaarder, Jørn Lier Horst, Siri Pettersen, Nils Magne Knutsen.
Denmark: Kaspar Colling Nielsen, Kim Leine, Dorthe Nors, Kirsten Thisted.
Finland: Elina Hirvonen, Katja Kettu, Johanna Sinisalo, Antti Tuomainen.
Iceland: Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, Sjón.
Sweden: Majgull Axelsson, Lotta Lundberg, Bengt Pohjanen, Ulf Stark.
Discussions with writers will be held usually in Nordic languages and interpreted into Czech, in case of discussions with more than two Nordic writers, the common language will be English. Events without participation of Nordic guests will be held in Czech.
See the complete programme of the Guest of Honour here.
Read more about the campaign #Read Nordic.
NORLA annually hands out an award to a talented emerging translator of Norwegian literature. The award is given for translations directly from Norwegian as an encouragement towards continued efforts.
The 2024 award will be given to a translator of non-fiction.
NORLA have the pleasure of inviting American publishing editors to a book trade meeting in connection with the PEN World Voices festival, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Author Vigdis Hjorth is on the program, and several meetings will be arranged between Norwegian literary agents and representatives from the American publishing industry.
The book trade meeting is organized in collaboration with the Norwegian Consulate General in New York.
NORLA invites foreign publishers, editors, and scouts of adult fiction to apply for our fellowship program, which this year will take place in Oslo from June 4th – 7th.
Read more here.