It is that time of year again. The time when our vocabularies widen and the delightful composite scent of paper, ink and glue permeates the subtle aroma of spring. We’re speaking, of course, about the Reykjavík International Literary Festival.
For more than 30 years, this festival has attracted a number of authors to Iceland to share their love of the written word with like-minded individuals. The authors participating range from up and coming writers who have exploded onto the scene to multi-award winners from all around the world. The festival also extends an invitation to the wider literary community—publishers, editors, translators and more will be participating.
This year, for the first time, the festival will award the Halldór Laxness International Literary Prize, to be announced on April 25th.
“We’re working with a theme of adaptability, how we adapt to different circumstances,” explains festival director Stella Soffía Jóhannesdóttir. “Our aim is to introduce interesting international authors to readers in Iceland and give readers here an insight into what is happening in literature around the world.”
The festival is free to attend, which Stella emphasizes is important to the organizers. “The festival has always been open and free for everyone. Literary enthusiasts will get to know new and interesting authors, and see and hear authors they already admire.”
Stella enthuses about the festival as a wonderful platform, saying that the varied programme means “everyone should find something interesting.”
Check out Grapevine’s special festival pullout here.
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