On the Way to Leipzig - from Stavanger

The planning for Norway as Guest of Honour at the Leipziger Buchmesse is well underway. During the literature festival Kapittel in Stavanger from September 19th to 22nd, the German-Norwegian program series titled Auf dem Weg nach Leipzig (On the Way to Leipzig) will be presented. This is a festival within a festival, organized by Kapittel in collaboration with the Norwegian-German Willy Brandt Foundation and the Goethe-Institut. NORLA is partner.

The aim is to introduce German literature to Norwegian readers and foster discussions about literature and current societal issues in Norway and Germany/Switzerland/Austria through meetings between Norwegian and German authors. In the author conversations, German-speaking authors will meet their Norwegian colleagues, such as Judith Hermann / Monika Isakstuen, Christoph Ransmayr / Erik Fosnes Hansen, and Simon Strauss / Simon Stranger.

The complete program will be continuously updated here

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.