In 2023, NORLA granted subsidies for translation of Norwegian literature into 51 different languages. A total of 553 applications for translation grants were received, of which 546 were approved, distributed among 440 fiction titles and 106 non-fiction titles.
Children’s and young adult books account for just under a quarter of all translations, regardless of genre.
At NORLA, we are working intensively on Norway’s two Guest of Honour projects, which will take place at the Leipzig Book Fair in 2025 and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in 2026. In the coming months, we look forward to many exciting events related to these initiatives.
We are very happy to welcome two new colleagues aboard!
Our Translator of the Month for August is Olga Drobot, who translates from Norwegian to Russian full-time. Among the many authors she has translated, are Henrik Ibsen, Per Petterson, Erlend Loe, Roy Jacobsen, Lars Saabye Christensen, Karl Ove Knausgård, Maria Parr, Rune Belsvik, and Bjørn F. Rørvik. Olga holds a PhD in Nordic literature history from Moscow University. She loves children’s books and is an expert in reading to children. She also participates in the “Ibsen in Translation” project, and has recently helped organize a literature school — “Free Word” — in Armenia.
Norway was the Guest of Honour at the Book Fair in Warsaw 26 – 29 May 2022.
30 authors from Norway went to Warsaw and will feature in 50 literary events during four days at the Palace of Culture and Science.
Sickle
Sigd
Norway will be Guest of Honour at the Leipzig Book Fair in 2025, which is to take place March 27-30. The German market is one of the most important for Norwegian literary exports, and the Guest of Honour status in Leipzig gives Norwegian books and Norwegian authors a unique opportunity to reach German readers.
Fall Technique
Fallteknikk
Before They Disappear - An attempt to understand what children are（在他们消失之前——试图理解孩子是什么）
Før de forsvinner - et forsøk på å forstå hva barn er
Winter Stories
Vinternoveller
Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess loves to read and is enthusiastic about books. She is eager to share her love of reading and spread good literature. She firmly believes that there is a book for everyone.
Meet the organizers of the Norwegian Guest of Honour initative at the 204 Cairo International Book Fair.
NORLA is happy and proud to share the news that Norway will be the Guest of Honour in Bologna in 2026 – the world’s most important book fair for children’s literature.
The Dynamite Dudes and the Buzzkiller
Gutta Krutt & Gledesdreperen
The Princes of Pauper’s Pond
Fyrstene av Finntjern
Our Translator of the Month for April is Chie Asada from Japan. She studied Swedish at Osaka University of Foreign studies in Japan, and she then learned Norwegian when spending a year in the South of Norway, attending a folk high school (“folkehøgskole”). At present, Chie is collaborating with a Norwegian colleague on translating works by Tarjei Vesaas. She is also teaching Norwegian at Osaka University part-time.
Before They Disappear - An attempt to understand what children are
Før de forsvinner - et forsøk på å forstå hva barn er
Iggy
Iggy
For everybody working at NORLA, sparking the joy of reading is a true privilege. And today we are happy to celebrate World Book Day by recommending books from our Selected Spring Titles.
You will find more information on all the spring titles here, and quite a few also include sample translations in English.