Nordic writers visit Catalonia

The initiative, organized in collaboration with PEN Català, the Ramon Llull Institute and the Barcelona City Council, seeks to strengthen the bonds between Catalonia and the Nordic countries. From 12th to 16th November, eight renowned writers from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, will be immersed in Catalan culture, while discussing aspects that Catalan literature and language have in common with the Nordic countries.

The Nordic delegation is made up of (see attached programme for further details):

Ulf Eriksson (Sweden)

In addition to poetry, he has published novels, short stories, essays and criticism. He is currently a critic for the Göteborgs-Posten andSvenskaDagbladet newspapers. He recently translated a novel by Elia Barceló and poems of Antonio Gamonedas.

Kjell Espmark (Sweden)

Writer and literary researcher and honorary professor of Literature Studies at the University of Stockholm. He is a member of the Swedish Academy that is responsible for awarding the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Hanne Ørstavik (Norway)

With the publication of the novel Hakk in 1994, she started a career that has made her one of the best-known Norwegian writers of contemporary literature. In Spanish we can find Mujeres de los fiordos, Nordica, 2009 (an anthology on 10 female Norwegian writers).

Jukka Laajarinne (Finland)

Writer of stories for children and young people.

Ib Michael (Denmark)

A considerable part of his prose is stylistically related to the magic realism of Latin American literature. In Spanish: Cuentos europeos, Anagrama, 1994 (included in this anthology of 12 writers from Nordic countries) and Príncipe, Salamandra, 2002.

Leena Parkkinen (Finland)

Novelist and winner of the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize 2009. She represents the third generation in a family of authors that started with her grandfather.

Kjersti A. Skomsvold (Norway)

In 2009 she made her literary debut with Jo forterejeggår, jomindreerjeg, a prize-winning novel that has been translated into several languages. In Spanish: Cuanto más deprisa voy, más pequeña soy, Lengua de Trapo, 2011.

Sigurbjörg Þrastardóttir (Iceland)

Her poetry has been translated into 12 languages and she has participated in several literary conferences, poetry festivals and anthologies throughout Europe. In Catalan: Paracaigudes de tulipes, translation by Francesc Parcerisas. In the plaquettes poetry collection Els ulls de Tirèsies by the publisher Cafè Central.

The programme for the visit, which has been designed in conjunction with PEN Català, the Ramon Llull Institute and the Barcelona City Council, includes contacts with Catalan writers and with foreign writers who reside in Catalonia, as well as several workshops on subjects of global interest and visits to cultural centres. Among other activities, the Nordic delegation will meet the Regional Minister for Culture, (Tuesday 13th at 9:30), and will take part in two workshops: one on the role of literature in society and the world, which will include the participation of local authors; and the second, organized jointly with the University of the United Nations, on migrations, literature and intercultural dialogue, which will include the intervention of the Catalan-based writers.

On 15th November, at midday, there will be a press conference to present the initiative and carry out a preliminary evaluation of it.

It will be possible to conduct individual interviews with the writers taking part in NORDIC CATALONIA. To arrange an interview, please contact Maria Alberich, (tel. 93-445-7109, or - 638-680-613;  (e-mail malberich@diplocat.cat).

Event:NORDIC CATALONIA press conference

Visit of a delegation of Nordic writers

Date: Friday, 15th November 2013

Time:12:00

Place: Institut de Cultura de Barcelona (ICUB)

Palau de la Virreina. La Rambla, 99 (Barcelona)

Simultaneous interpretation service will be available during the press conference.