News
News from NORLA
Christmas Greetings from NORLA
Like last year the book industry’s activities in 2021 were affected by a limited number of physical meeting places for book fairs and festivals. So the physical activities that did take place – such as our participation at the Frankfurter Buchmesse, the event in Brno celebrating 100 Norwegian books published in Czech, the translators’ meeting in London, the Non/Fiction book fair in Moscow and two literature events in New York – became all the more important. At the same time, there has been a good response to the digital services we offer, such as our webinars for agents, editors and translators, which are arranged in close collaboration with the Norwegian embassies and consulates.
Great interest in Norwegian literature in New York
In connection with H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon Magnus’ official visit to the USA from 5.-8. December, NORLA, along with Norway’s Consulate General in New York and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organised two literary events in New York. The delegation consisted of three authors and eight literary agents, whose presence, along with NORLA, breathed life into our important American trade relationships.
Dilek Carelius - Translator of the Month
Dilek Basak Carelius is a translator of both non-fiction and fiction from Norwegian to Turkish. She has translated books by Erlend Loe, Vigdis Hjorth and Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson, among others. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Bosphorous University and a Master’s degree in theatre studies from the University of Oslo. Dilek lives in Oslo and her translation of Linn Ullman’s Unquiet is just about to be published.
NORLA offers its warmest congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Brage Prize
The winners are:
Open class: Non-fiction for children and young adults
Søstre. Min historie etter Utøya
By Mariangela Di Fiore and Cathrine Trønnes Lie
Published by Vigmostad & Bjørke
Books for children and young adults
A Different View (Original title: “Eit anna blikk”)
By Erlend Skjetne
Published by Flamme Forlag
Non-fiction
Echo. An essay on algorithms and desire (Original title: “Ekko. Et essay om algoritmer om begjær”)
By Lena Lindgren
Published by Gyldendal
Fiction
Septology VI – VII: A New Name (Original title “Eit nytt namn. Septologien VI-VII”)
By Jon Fosse
Published by Samlaget
Honorary Award
Liv Køltzow
Read more
Read more
More about the Brage Prize, and see previous winners, here.
If you happen to read Norwegian, you will find the jury’s statements here.
Let's celebrate Black Book Friday!
Instead of buying something, we encourage everyone to find a black book at home and enjoy it!
Here, our skilled intern Ieva has here collected books that have been translated from Norwegian to Baltic languages through grants from NORLA.
You can see several other black books, which have been translated into lots of different languages, on our Flickr profile.
New interdisciplinary program strengthens export opportunities for the Norwegian arts
Norwegian Arts Abroad (NAA) are helping to promote the Norwegian arts internationally with a new interdisciplinary competence program. On Thursday evening, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt, launched the program and its seven teams of participants at a reception in the State Representation House.
Save the Date! Lillehammer Rights 2022
Are you a publisher, editor, sub-agent or scout who is interested in publishing and working with Norwegian literature?
Then you should set the dates May 31 – June 2, 2022!
Norwegian authors in Kunsthaus Zurich
On Sunday 21 November, the Norwegian Club – Norgesklubben – in Switzerland organized a large event at the Kunsthaus Zurich. Here authors Hanne Ørstavik, Erika Fatland and Erik Fosnes Hansen discussed the theme ‘Time,’ and the concept of time, in light of their books Ti amo (Ørstavik), High – A Journey in the Himalayas (Fatland) and Lobster Life (Fosnes Hansen). The conversation was moderated by Andrine Pollen from NORLA.
After the panel conversation, author and lecturer Anders Indset, who lives in Frankfurt, gave a talk on time and emotions. The event was well attended and also included an aperitif in the Kunsthaus’ foyer.
We would like to extend a warm thank you to the Norwegian Club Switzerland and Beate Normann for a brilliant event!

Grant for export and market initiatives abroad
NORLA’s subsidy scheme for export and market initiatives will boost demand, exports, and market development for Norwegian books and authors abroad, The scheme supports the development of good marketing ideas and initiatives for titles which have a strong potential, which contribute to new initiatives or put wind in the sails of ongoing projects with international partners. There are many initiatives being planned.
Classic of the Month: Tarjei Vesaas, The Birds and The Ice Palace
Tarjei Vesaas (1897-1970) was one of the greatest Norwegian authors of the 20th century, and many believe it was a huge oversight that he didn’t receive the Nobel Prize in literature. His novels The Birds (1957) and The Ice Palace (1963) are considered two of his most important works. Fifty years after his death he is still relevant, and being translated and read more than ever.