NORLA

29/05/2026

Counting Down Towards the 2028 Ibsen Anniversary – Focus on Norwegian Drama in Berlin 🎭

In 2028, it will be 200 years since Henrik Ibsen was born. As the world’s most performed playwright after William Shakespeare, the anniversary will be celebrated on a grand scale, both in Norway and internationally.

As a prelude to the Ibsen 2028 anniversary, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Berlin, in collaboration with PAHN (Performing Arts Hub Norway), The Norwegian Centre for New Playwriting – NCNP (Dramatikkens hus) and NORLA, last week invited representatives of the German theatre scene to a seminar at the ambassador’s residence. The focus was on Ibsen and his relevance to contemporary German theatre, as well as on contemporary Norwegian drama.

The seminar in Berlin began with a text workshop for German translators. The participants then were given a warm welcome by Ambassador Laila Stenseng, and a short intro and glimpse into future events by Hege Knarvik Sande, Director of PAHN. The followed an engaging panel discussion with leading figures from the German theatre world and readings from contemporary Norwegian drama. There were also conversations with playwrights Kathrine Nedrejord, Fredrik Brattberg, Eirik Fauske, and literary agent Gina Winje, representing Jon Fosse.

The exciting and wide-ranging programme was met by an attentive and appreciative audience. The day concluded with a reception in the beautiful garden of the ambassador’s residence.

A big thank you to all partners, contributors, participants and guests for an inspiring and rewarding day!

Read more:
https://norla.no/en/news/news-from-norla/countdown-to-the-2028-ibsen-anniversary-focus-on-norwegian-drama-in-berlin

Photos: Bernhard Ludewig

Norwegische Botschaft in Berlin
PAHN - Performing Arts Hub Norway
Dramatikkens hus
Berliner Ensemble
Kathrine Nedrejord
Fredrik Brattberg
Eirik Fauske
Winje Agency

21/05/2026

What an unforgettable journey! 🇳🇴📚✨

As Guest of Honour at the Bologna Children's Book Fair, Norway had the opportunity to present the richness and diversity of Norwegian children’s and YA literature to the world. And the response was overwhelming!

From inspiring conversations and packed events at the Norway Café to the What if illustration exhibition featuring 49 illustrators from Norway, Bologna became a vibrant meeting place for literature, illustration and international exchange.

A heartfelt thank you to all authors, illustrators, translators, publishers, partners and visitors who made this guest of honour programme such a success!

Read more about Norway’s Bologna adventure here:
https://norla.no/en/news/news-from-norla/norway-as-guest-of-honour-at-the-bologna-children-s-book-fair-in-april-2026

Photo: The NORLA-Team at the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Photo: Maria Platone and Giulia Magra/NORLA

Kultur- og likestillingsdepartementet - Norge Ambasciata di Norvegia in Italia Norske Barne- og Ungdomsbokforfattere Norsk faglitterær forfatter- og oversetterforening - NFFO Grafill Margit Walsø Ellen T. Hogsnes

13/05/2026

Welcome to the 16th season of NORLA's Translators Hotel!
This week, we have warmly welcomed four translators to Oslo for a two-week stay at Hotell Bondeheimen.

The translators now in place in Oslo are:

From the left: Agnė Guigaitė (Lithuania)
Andreas Donat (Austria/Germany)
Stella Djelepova (Bulgaria)
Ildikó Vaskó (Hungary)
here with NORLA's Mette Børja (in charge of our translator program).

Next week, the four will be joined by another colleague: Ana Flecha Marco (Spain).

We wish the translators a wonderful stay in Oslo, with lots of professional and social replenishment, and also celebration of Norway’s Constitution Day. Some of our guests will also be working from NORLA’s offices.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs contribute towards the Translators Hotel scheme.

Photo: Tanja Feodoritova.

02/05/2026

We are happy and proud to introduce our Translator of the Month: Helena Fagertun, who translates from English, Norwegian and Danish into Swedish. 👏
The influential Swedish literary blogger Bernur has described her as a ‘translator who has developed a speciality for a certain kind of unruly q***r prose’.

Helena has translated books by contemporary authors such as Kate Zambreno, Julia Otsuka and Isabel Waidner, and introduced classics by writers like Mary MacLane and Ann Quin to Swedish readers. In 2026, her first translation of novels from Norwegian are being published: "The Sami Problem" by Kathrine Nedrejord and "Eat All" by Leander Djønne.

Read a snippet from our interview with Helena here:
https://norla.info/May2026

Or read the full interview in Norwegian:
https://norla.info/mai2026

(Photo: Pirjo Holmström)

Norges ambassade i Stockholm Forlaget Oktober

02/05/2026

We at NORLA recently had the pleasure of hosting a recruitment seminar in Oslo for nine emerging translators.
The seminar took place April 22-25, in connection with the annual Fosse Prize for Translators of Norwegian Literature, as NORLA wishes to contribute to the recruitment of more, human, translators of Norwegian literature.

One of the highlights of the group's program was to learn tricks of the trade from Paula Stevens, winner of the 2026 Fosse Prize. She held a truly inspiring keynote talk, spinkled with both humour and precious anecdotes!
We also attended different literary events at the National Library, among others enjoying Paula Stevens in conversation with author Johan Harstad. The duo have been cooperating closely for twenty years, and their talk was expertly moderated by Carline Tromp.

A central part of the seminar was a text workshop. Here the group had made sample translations from the novel "Tynne rivner av lys", written by Anne-Lise Frøland and awarded this year's Tarjei Vesaas First Writer Prize.
In the text there were a lot nuances to discover and discuss, and not least challenging choices to be made. Really interesting work, also for us native speakers!

Following the workshop, we enjoyed meeting the author and learning more about her literary journey and her motivation for writing the novel. We also got some interesting pointers helping with our word puzzles from the workshop.
We now look very much forward to her next book!

The translators also met with literary agent Anette Garpestad from Cappelen Damm Agency, who made us all understand more of the literary circuit with the different roles of agents, scouts, foreign publishers and not least translators.
And of course the particpants also got to know more about NORLA, all our activities big and small - and also our different grant schemes.

Throughout the seminar the group generously shared their experiences and tips, and we also had a session exchanging literary favourites: a tasty blend of what we at NORLA call "bokdrops" - i.e. "book candy". Always inspiring, and adding richly to our reading list! 📗🍬

Thank you for wonderful days together. Tusen takk for nå!

Det Norske Samlaget Norsk Forfattersentrum Cappelen Damm Agency Regjeringen (Norge) Nasjonalbiblioteket Royal Norwegian Embassy in The Hague The Norwegian Embassy Belgium

01/05/2026

We are very happy to share the acceptance speech of Paula Stevens, winner of the 2026 Fosse Prize! 🌟

For more than 40 years, she has been a key figure in the dissemination of Norwegian literature as well as culture in the Netherlands and Belgium, with nearly 90 books translated.

https://linktr.ee/norwegianliteratureabroad

Photo: Gorm K. Gaare / The National Library

Nasjonalbiblioteket Regjeringen (Norge) Kongehuset Royal Norwegian Embassy in The Hague The Norwegian Embassy Belgium

28/04/2026

Following our Guest of Honour appearance at Bologna Children's Book Fair, we’re delighted to see such strong and enthusiastic media coverage in Norway 🇳🇴

This wonderful feature in VG presents a wide range of outstanding Norwegian children’s and YA authors, showcasing just how rich, diverse, and vibrant the field is today. From internationally celebrated names to exciting newer voices, the article highlights the creativity, depth, and global appeal of Norwegian storytelling for young readers.

It’s especially rewarding to see so many talented writers featured together: a true reflection of the strength of Norway’s children’s literature scene and the impact of our presence in Bologna.

We’re grateful for the fantastic press response and proud to see Norwegian children’s books gaining well-deserved attention at home and abroad!

https://www.vg.no/rampelys/i/V6gM6V/barneboeker-de-11-heteste-norske-barnebok-forfattere

Ambasciata di Norvegia in Italia Kultur- og likestillingsdepartementet - Norge Norske Barne- og Ungdomsbokforfattere Norsk faglitterær forfatter- og oversetterforening - NFFO Grafill ASCHEHOUG FORLAG Oslo Literary Agency Cappelen Damm Cappelen Damm Agency Det Norske Samlaget TNT Forlag Magikon Forlag Ellen T. Hogsnes Margit Walsø VG

Dette er navnene du må få med deg.

25/04/2026

I dag kl. 12:15 (CEST) kan du oppleve Paula Stevens, vinneren av Fosseprisen for oversettere 2026, på Nasjonalbiblioteket - eller via strømming! ❤
Samtalepartner er forfatter Johan Harstad og moderator er Carline Tromp.

Sikre deg gratisbillett: https://www.nb.no/hva-skjer

Se strømming: https://www.nb.no/tv
(her finner du også opptak fra seremonien)

Nå kan du også lese den fantastiske takketalen Paula holdt under Fossepris-seremonien på Slottet (engelsk versjon kommer):
https://norla.no/nb/aktuelt/norla/fosseprisen-2026-les-vinnerens-takketale

Foto: Gorm K. Gaare / Nasjonalbiblioteket

Royal Norwegian Embassy in The Hague The Norwegian Embassy Belgium Kongehuset Regjeringen (Norge)

24/04/2026

A remarkable evening in Oslo ✨: the Fosse Prize 2026 has been awarded to Dutch translator Paula Stevens!

For more than four decades, Stevens has brought Norwegian literature to Dutch readers, translating nearly 90 books 📚📚📚 and playing a vital role in strengthening literary exchange across borders.

The Fosse Lecture 🎓was delivered by the American author Marilynne Robinson, who reflected on literature, faith and the freedom of thought, echoing key themes in the work of Jon Fosse.

A powerful reminder of the importance of translation and of literature as a space for connection, reflection and dialogue.

👉 Read our report about the event here:
https://norla.no/en/news/news-from-norla/fosse-prize-2026

Photos: Gorm K. Gaare / The National Library

Kultur- og likestillingsdepartementet - Norge Margit Walsø Nasjonalbiblioteket Royal Norwegian Embassy in The Hague

23/04/2026

Today 4 p.m. (CEST) it's gonna happen! 🎇

The Dutch translator Paula Stevens will receive the Fosse Prize 2026 and the American author Marilynne Robinson will hold the Fosse lecture in Oslo.

Here’s how you can experience the ceremony today:

The event takes place at the Royal Palace, but you can watch the full ceremony live on a big screen at the National Library Nasjonalbiblioteket from 4 p.m. If you’re unable to attend in person, you can also follow the livestream from home:

https://www.nb.no/tv/fosseforedraget-og-fosseprisen-for-omsetjarar-2026/

Right after the lecture, at 6:30 p.m., you can join a reading circle where a panel will discuss the freshly delivered Fosse Lecture. Read more and get your free ticket at https://www.nb.no/

After the reading circle, the celebration continues! Join the afterparty at the National Library’s Bakgården café from 7:30 p.m. Electronic artist Niilas will be playing, and food and drinks will be available.

Throughout the week, Credo is offering a special “Fosse menu” at both the National Library bar and the Bakgården café.

More events related to the Fosse Lecture and the Fosse Prize for Translators will take place at the National Library in the coming days. See the full programme at https://www.nb.no/

Photos: Gorm K. Gaare / Nasjonalbiblioteket

Regjeringen (Norge) Kultur- og likestillingsdepartementet - Norge Royal Norwegian Embassy in The Hague