Ukrainian literature and collaborative translation - launch of a special issue of literary journal Tidsskriftet Mellom

Since spring, NORLA, the Norwegian Association of Literary Translators, the Ukrainian Association in Oslo, and Tidsskriftet Mellom have been working on a joint project.
The purpose has been to contribute to the recruitment of more translators from Ukrainian to Norwegian; over the past year, it has become evident that there is a glaring lack of this expertise in this area. Our response has been to connect NORLA’s contacts who translate from Norwegian to Ukrainian with members of the Norwegian Association of Literary Translators. From here, we created six “translator pairs” who have translated a selection of texts written by Ukrainian authors from the 19th century to the present. The selection was curated by Iryna Sabor and has been titled “With Words as Resistance”.

The project was launched during a half-day seminar at Litteraturhuset in Oslo on April 13th. All of the translator pairs met for an intensive workshop on June 27th after working together digitally for several months. The texts will be published in a special issue of Tidsskriftet Mellom, which will be launched at Blå (Brenneriveien 9) on December 5th.
We hope to see you there!

Upcoming activities

November 14-November 16

Shanghai, China

Norwegian Participation at the Shanghai Children’s Book Fair

NORLA is taking part in the Shanghai Children’s Book Fair with a stand designed for meetings and professional networking. The two illustrators/authors Øyvind Torseter and Marianne Gretteberg Engedal (Skinkeape) will participate in the fair’s professional program and panel discussions. Both also serve on the jury for the Norwegian illustration exhibition at Bologna 2026.
In addition, several Norwegian publishers/agents will take part.

The initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Consulate in Shanghai.

December 3-December 5

Rome, Italy

Networking Event and Launch of the Guest of Honour Program during the Rome Book Fair Più libri più liberi

The book fair Più libri più liberii is dedicated to small and medium-sized publishers, and NORLA is looking forward to participating for the second time – focusing on Norway’s Guest of Honour initiative at Bologna 2026 and on Norwegian children’s literature in general. And just like last year, we are hosting a networking event and gearing up for Bologna 2026 by launching the Guest of Honour concept and program. Also, Norwegian agents will take part in the fair’s fellowship and/or be present in the rights centre. The program is organized in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Rome.

In the lead-up to the book fair, we are organizing a full-day seminar for Italian translators and Norwegian language students from universities in Italy. The seminar will take place at Casa delle Traduzioni, and participants will have the opportunity to meet author and illustrator Malin Falch. The sessions will be led by established Italian translators of Norwegian literature.