EU Prize for Literature highlighted at Reykjavík Book Fair 2024

The EU Delegation to Iceland participated for the first time in the Reykjavík Book Fair which is held annually by the Association of Icelandic Book Publishers and Reykjavík City (UNESCO City of Literature since 2011).

The EU booth highlighted the European Union's Prize for Literature (EUPL), which has been awarded since 2009, as well as EU grant opportunities for Icelandic creative industries via the EU's culture programme, Creative Europe.

Hundreds of people attended the 13th edition of Reykjavík Book Fair and the EU booth was popular as guests had the chance to get copies of the book "European Stories" produced by the EUPL, featuring selected chapters from 13 authors from 13 different countries that were nominated for the European Union's Prize for Literature in 2024.

After the book fair, the EU Delegation supported a celebration of the Day of the Icelandic Language, as well as the official start of the Christmas Book Flood (Jólabókaflóð) - a term used for the annual release of new books before Christmas. Iceland has a long history of literary culture and books are among the most popular Christmas gifts in Iceland, explaining vast numbers of books released before Christmas.

In her speech, the EU Ambassador to Iceland, Clara Ganslandt, said:

European cultural cooperation is particularly important as Europe is comprised of many big and small countries, each with unique cultures and languages. That is why the European Union places great emphasis on fostering cross-border cooperation, to challenge language boundaries, and to strengthen the economic potential and competitiveness of European creative industries. - Clara Ganslandt, EU Ambassador to Iceland.

The Icelandic Minister of Culture and Business, Ms. Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir, participated in the event and gave a speech about the importance of culture and cultural cooperation to unite the society and to bring vibrancy to daily life through art, music and language. The Minister underlined the particular importance of the EEA Agreement in this regard as it strengthens bonds between the citizens of Iceland and EU Member States.

The cultural cooperation between Iceland and the European Union, based on the EEA Agreement, has been fruitful. Icelandic literature has been successful and popular on the European continent and we want to see even more Icelandic books translated into more languages. I am proud of the achievements of our writers and publishers. - Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Culture and Business.