Welcome to an event in Oslo with Norwegian and German authors: "You Have a New Friend Request!"

In late summer 2024, three Norwegian and three German authors were paired together. Since the autumn, they have exchanged letters about writing, daily life, the world, and life itself.
They met in person for the first time in Leipzig in October, where they shared their thoughts and letters with an attentive and inspired audience. Now, they are bringing this unique literary exchange to Oslo and readers in Norway are invited to meet the authors and hear their perspectives on the world and the future.

Meet the three Norwegian authors Peter F. Strassegger, Kristin Vego, and Helene Imislund in conversation with Matthias Jügler, Kristina Schilke, and Janin Wölke.
Moderators: Andrine Pollen and Oliver Møystad (NORLA).

Location: Cappelen Damm, Akersgata 47/49, Oslo
Date: February 3, 2025
Time: 18:00–19:30
Admission: Free

See the Facebook event (in Norwegian only)

The event is organized by NORLA in collaboration with Sächsischer Literaturrat, Goethe-Institut, and the two publishing houses Gyldendal Norsk Forlag and Cappelen Damm.

This concept was originally created by the Netherlands and Flanders when they were Guest of Honour at the Leipziger Buchmesse in 2024. It is now being carried forward as Norway takes on the Guest of Honour role in March 2025.

Upcoming activities

October 9-October 11

New York, USA

Norwegian author program at the 200th anniversary of Norwegian emigration to the USA

NORLA is collaborating with the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in New York on several literary events in connection with the arrival of the ship Restauration in New York on October 9. The vessel set sail from Stavanger on July 4 and is scheduled to arrive in New York on October 9 – retracing the exact journey of the first Norwegian emigrant ship that departed on the same dates in 1825. Upon arrival, a large public celebration is planned at the pier, with 2,000–3,000 guests expected from 10:00–14:00.

HRH Crown Prince Haakon, together with the voyage’s patron Liv Ullmann, will welcome the ship, and a variety of cultural events will take place at the harbor. NORLA will host a stand highlighting Norwegian literature. Mari Kanstad Johnsen will hold a children’s reading session on board the ship Wavertree, while moderator Anderson Tepper will lead a conversation with Lars Mytting, Edy Poppy, and Jon Fosse’s translator Damion Searls at the beautiful McNally Jackson Seaport bookstore, located at Pier 16.

Thor Gotaas will give a talk on Norwegian immigration and Ørkenen Sur during a ferry trip on the East River with HRH Crown Prince Haakon and invited guests.

October 10

The Fosse Prize 2026 – NORLA Invites Endorsements

We welcome endorsements that meet the criteria below, with a brief justification (maximum 1 page), by Friday October 10, 2025, 12:00 (CET):

• The prize will be awarded to a translator who has made a particularly significant contribution to translating Norwegian literature and/or drama into another language (directly from Norwegian), with emphasis on their entire body of work.
• The promotion of literature and culture beyond translation can also be considered.

October 15-October 19

Frankfurt, Germany

NORLA at Frankfurter Buchmesse

NORLA will be present at this year’s Frankfurter Buchmesse. You are invited to come by and visit us at the Nordic common stand at Hall 4.1, stand B17.
We are very much looking forward to meeting contacts both old and new!

Please contact us should you like to book an appointment.