NORLA

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

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

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