This year there has been a record number of applications and grants to translate Icelandic literature into other languages, RÚV reports.
The Icelandic Literature Center has awarded grants for 111 translations from Icelandic into 28 languages, from 147 applications. Most of the grants were for translation into Danish, but thirteen grants were awarded. Nine grants were awarded for English translation and eight for German translation.
A total of ISK 24 million was allocated for translation not only into the languages outlined above, but also into Arabic, Hebrew, Hungarian and Russian. The grants are awarded twice a year, in February and September.
The most booked book among translators was On time and water by Andra Snæ Magnason who has been awarded grants throughout the year to translate into Arabic, Danish, Estonian, Finnish, French, Italian, Korean, Croatian, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, Spanish, Czech and German. It has already been translated into more than 20 languages.
The website of the Icelandic Literature Center says that this record number is partly due to the Nordic efforts launched in the wake of the pandemic: “In response to this year’s pandemic, NordLit – organization of Nordic literature centers – united to formulate a common policy to increase translation funding by 2020 to cover 50% of costs. This step was taken to encourage publishers around the world to continue translating and publishing Nordic creative writings, scholarly publications, books of general interest and books for children and young readers, thus responding to the impact of the situation on publishing and works. authors and translators. “
In comparison, the previous evaluation for applications in 2017 was when 119 applications were made. Of these, 21 were for translations into Nordic languages.
Source: The Nordic Page