My Nature and the North/Icelandic-Canada Literature

Project Spotlight: A discussion on the role of storytelling.

Land Circumpolar Collaboration Climate
A view through a bookstore window shows children reading in two panes. At left, two seated pre-teens in jackets look closely at a book, leaning their heads in towards the table. At right, a younger kid reads an open book in her hands as she walks.

This event will discuss the role of storytelling and literature in Canada and Iceland. How do we address a world of big issues, huge changes in the nature of the North and related challenges, how do we confront history and what untold stories might guide us into the future? How does literature address identity, diversity, languages, and emotions? Can literature lead the way or is it just another form of entertainment?

Agenda: 

Welcome Remarks: Ambassador Hlynur Gudjonsson, Embassy of Iceland, Ottawa

Icelandic-Canadian Literature
Dr. Birna Bjarnadóttir, University of Iceland, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages (10 min)

My Nature and the North
Andri Snær Magnason, author, Iceland
Dr. James Raffan, author, Canada

A view through a bookstore window shows children reading in two panes. At left, two seated pre-teens in jackets look closely at a book, leaning their heads in towards the table. At right, a younger kid reads an open book in her hands as she walks.
COURTESY THE EMBASSY OF ICELAND IN OTTAWA.

Panel discussion and Q&A
Moderator: Eliza Reid, First Lady of Iceland

Panel:
– Andri Snær Magnason, author, Iceland
– Dr. James Raffan, author, Canada
– Elin Thordarsson, writer and translator, Canada

Closing Remarks: Ambassador Jeannette Menzies, Embassy of Canada, Reykjavík

The lecture series is a part of the 75 anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Iceland organized by the Embassy of Canada in Reykjavík and Embassy of Iceland in Ottawa in partnership with the Icelandic Literature Center and the University of Iceland-Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages.

A recording of the discussion can be found here

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