The 14th Reykjavík Book Fair welcomed over 8,000 attendees this November, positioning itself as a key venue for publishing professionals seeking translation opportunities and EU market access.
EU Prize for Literature Drives Translation Dialogue
The EU Delegation to Iceland leveraged the fair to promote the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL), showcasing 2025 Special Mention recipient Sheila Armstrong. The Irish author participated in a panel alongside 2024 Special Mention winner María Elísabet Bragadóttir, discussing their literary trajectories and the prize’s impact on international visibility.
Armstrong’s novel Falling Animals was featured prominently, with readings drawing publisher attention. The EUPL Anthology, containing excerpts from 2025 shortlisted works, was distributed at the Delegation’s booth – offering publishers a tangible catalogue for rights scouting.
Creative Europe Funding: A Practical Pathway
Publishing professionals were briefed on concrete financial support through the Creative Europe programme. With a 2026 application deadline approaching, the Delegation highlighted annual funding for 40 literary translation projects within the 2021–2027 programme period.
While specific figures were referenced in millions of Icelandic króna, representatives emphasised the scheme facilitates translation of approximately 500 titles annually -substantially lowering financial barriers for publishers investing in cross-border literature.
Networking and Diplomatic Engagement
A dedicated reception convened authors, translators, publishers, and diplomats, facilitating high-level connections. EU Ambassador Clara Ganslandt highlighted multilateral cooperation frameworks, while Reykjavík Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir reinforced Iceland’s commitment to international literary exchange.
Such gatherings provide publishers direct access to prize-winning authors and EU cultural attachés – streamlining rights negotiations and project development.
Market Insights: Iceland’s “Christmas Book Flood”
The Mayor’s reference to the Jólabókaflóð tradition highlighted Iceland’s unique publishing calendar and robust reading culture – intelligence valuable for publishers considering Nordic market entry.
Her assertion that “literature not being confined by borders” resonated throughout the fair’s programming, aligning with industry imperatives to diversify translation pipelines.
For publishing professionals, the Reykjavík Book Fair 2024 demonstrated how EU literary initiatives translate into actionable business opportunities -combining funding access, author discovery, and strategic networking in a concentrated, market-relevant format.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
