Share this article:

Iceland is known for creativity, unique art, music and literature. As Icelandic literature continues to gain popularity around the globe, read on to hear the latest updates from Icelandic authors and more.

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir wins the Prix Médicis étranger 2019

Image credit: The Icelandic Literature Center

Icelandic author Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir was awarded the prestigious French Prix Médicis étranger 2019 award, in recognition of Ungfrú Ísland (Miss Iceland). Ólafsdóttir’s novel is sold worldwide, in nine different countries. Originally published in Icelandic, the book was translated into French by Eric Boury. The Prix Médicis étranger award was created in 1970.

French Interest in Icelandic literature Increases

Image credit: The Icelandic Literature Center

French interest in Icelandic literature has greatly increased, especially over the past three years. French readers have become very loyal to Icelandic authors, requesting all of their works be translated from Icelandic to French. In order to do this, translators are crucial. To encourage translation from Icelandic to French, the Icelandic Embassy in Paris recently held a seminar for writers to boost the amount of language translators.

Forty Icelandic Titles in English Translation published in the UK and USA

Image credit: The Icelandic Literature Center

Over the past decade, Icelandic literature’s rate of translation has tripled. There are now almost forty Icelandic books available to read in English, in genres such as fiction, crime fiction, poetry, children’s, and non-fiction. A full list of Icelandic works available in English is available here.

Icelandic Writers Travel the World, Presenting their Work and Meeting their Readers

Image credit: The Icelandic Literature Center

Many Icelandic authors travel around the world in order to promote their latest endeavors. Countries such as Italy, Macedonia, Finland, Hungary, Germany, and England are a few countries who welcomed Icelandic authors in 2019. Icelandic participation in international literary events is on the rise. Stay tuned for what is store for 2020! 

Have you ever read any Icelandic literature? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter what your favorite book is!