Reykjavik UNESCO City of Literature will be taking an active part in the 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair, which takes place between 12-16 October, as Iceland is this year’s Guest of Honour.
On Thursday October 13th, Reykjavik will be in the spotlight at the Iceland Exhibition Grounds, with a program dedicated to Reykjavik and its new status as a UNESCO City of Literature. On the same occasion, an agreement between Reykjavik City and ICORN (International Cities of Refuge Network) will be signed by The Mayor of Reykjavik, Jon Gnarr, and Peter Ripken, Chair of ICORN’s Executive Board.
Reykjavik is the fifth city in the world to receive the title and joins the other UNESCO Cities of Literature; Edinburgh, Melbourne, Iowa City, and Dublin, making it the first non-native English speaking city to receive the prestigious title.
Iceland is home to a number of authors who have received recognition for their writing, both on the domestic market and abroad. Some of these authors have won international awards, for example the successful crime novelist Arnaldur Indridason, well known for his Reykjavik-based crime novels.
The city’s newly award title is a permanent one, under the condition that the city fulfills its commitments relative to the title. Reykjavik will now further aim to enhance literary life in the city, for example by establishing a Centre for literature and a platform for literary events and projects of all kinds, in addition to projects aimed at stimulating reading and cooperation within the educational system.
Moreover, UNESCO Cities of Literature are part of the larger UNESCO Creative Cities Network, of which Reykjavik is the 29th member.
For further information, visit Reykjavik’s UNESCO City of Literature website: www.cityofliterature.is.
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