In the Moorland 2016 – Program (pdf)
Please note that the event schedule may change!
Self Image – World Image • IN THE MOORLAND
International Children’s Literature Festival
6 October – 9 October 2016
in The Nordic House
Readings – Symposium – Workshops – Exhibitions
Thursday 6 Oct
09.15–10.00 – Readings | Lecture hall
Feel the horror seeping through you! Icelandic writers Gerður Kristný and Ævar Þór Benediktsson have both written horror stories and we’re in for a blood-curdling reading.
Language: Icelandic. Age 7–10.
09.15–10.00 – Readings | Children’s library
Dragons, diamond thieves and the mystery of life – the authors of children’s books deal with varied subjects indeed. Three talented festival guests, Martin Widmark and Pernilla Stalfelt from Sweden and Lawrence Schimel from the USA read from their beautifully illustrated works.
Language: English / Swedish. Icelandic translation. Age 8–10.
10.10–11.00 – Readings | Lecture hall
Time travel and teenage drama: Two of Iceland’s most entertaining young adult authors, Gunnar Theódór Eggertsson and Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir read from their novels. Bryndís’ two co-authors, the dynamic teenage duo Arnór Björnsson and Óli Gunnar Gunnarsson, will assist her with the reading.
Language: Icelandic. Age 11–13.
11.00–13.00 – NORD – Workshop | Reykjavík City Library – Grófin Culture House
Exciting prototype testing of the interactive app-novel NORD, a story about climate change and Norse mythology to be published in the Nordic countries. Leading the tests are the author, Camilla Hübbe from Denmark, and Susana Tosca, a digital literature scholar from ITU. Tests will be conducted in Denmark at the same time.
Language: English / Danish / Icelandic interpretation. Age 11.
11.10–12.00 – Readings | Lecture hall
Three very different Icelandic young adult writers read from their work: stories about the life crisis of a teenage rap poet in Eastern Iceland, murderous cannibal aliens, and a wonderful house full of secret rooms and passages. The authors are Hildur Knútsdóttir, Ragnhildur Hólmgeirsdóttir and Arnar Már Arngrímsson.
Language: Icelandic. Age 13–14.
11.10–12.00 – Somebody Nobodysdaughter | Children’s library
Workshop and reading: A workshop with Estonian author Kätlin Kaldmaa and illustrator Marge Nelk, based on their beautifully dreamlike novel Somebody Nobodysdaughter. The workshop is a mixture of readings and collage work.
Language: English / Icelandic interpretation. Age 10–12.
12.30–13.20 – Readings | Lecture hall
What would it feel like to suddenly have the Russian mafia chasing you? Or to wake up in hell one day? The stories of Salla Simukka from Finland and Kenneth Bøgh Andersen from Denmark take place in the brutal reality and the Netherworld.
Language: English / Danish. Icelandic translation. Age 12–13.
12.30–13.20 – Shape Game | Children’s library
Workshop: Authors and illustrators Hanne Bartholin from Denmark and Anthony Browne from the UK read from their book Frida and Bear, play the shape game and help the children develop their own drawing inspired by the game.
Language: English / Icelandic interpretation. Age 5–9.
13.30–14.20 – Rhymes and Rap | Lecture hall
Workshop: Icelandic teenage boy Sölvi from Arnar Már Arngrímsson’s novel Sölvasaga unglings is a big fan of rap music from the States. However, he gradually discovers Icelandic poetry and starts writing his own rap lyrics and rhymes. The author leads a workshop for teenagers in writing rap lyrics and rhyming.
Language: Icelandic. Age 14–15.
13.30–14.20 – Fantastic Nature | Children’s library
In children’s books everything is possible! Illustrator Linda Ólafsdóttir takes a look at the environment in children’s books, both the seen and the hidden. Imagination will be used generously to create a fantastic landscape.
Language: Icelandic. Age 7–8.
11.00–17.00 – Century of the Child | Exhibition rooms
Barnets århundrede, Century of the Child: Nordic Design for Children 1900 to Today, is open every day. Free for children under 18.
16.00–16.30 – Into the Wind! | The foyer
Artist talk: Illustrator Kristín Ragna Gunnarsdóttir shows guests around Into the Wind!, an exhibition of the artworks of seventeen illustrators from the Nordic countries. The exhibition opened in Berlin in May and will be travelling in German-speaking regions and the Nordic countries until 2018.
Language: Icelandic. Free entrance and open to all.
Register by 3 October 2016 at myrinskraning[at]gmail.com
All workshops and events for children are free
FRIDAY 7 OCT
Self Image – World Image
Symposium
Lectures and discussions on the diverse
self-images and world-images in children’s literature
in The Nordic House Lecture hall
Language: English
Registration: myrinskraning@gmail.com
Registration Fee: 3.500 ISK.
Coffee and light lunch included.
Register by 3 October 2016.
08.30–09.00 Registration and coffee
09.00–09.10 – Welcome | Lecture hall
Eliza Jean Reid First Lady of Iceland and founder of Iceland Writers Retreat.
09.10–09.20 – The Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize | Lecture hall
Sigurður Ólafsson, director of the Office for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize discusses the prize and its purpose.
09.20–10.35 – Myths and Fantasy | Lecture hall
A seminar on Nordic myths, fantasy and future in YA-literature. How do Nordic myths influence self-image and world-image in Nordic literature for young people? Bjarndís Helga Tómasdóttir MA-student in Icelandic literature, Anna Heiða Pálsdóttir PhD in children’s literature and authors Gunnar Theódór Eggertsson (Iceland), Martin Widmark (Sweden) and Ragnhildur Hólmgeirsdóttir (Iceland) give short lectures and take part in discussion.
Moderator: Olga Holownia.
10.35–10.50 Kaffihlé | Coffee break
10.50–11.50 – Mad World? | Lecture hall
For few is self-image more important than for the young adult, entering a world that may seem mad. Authors invite us to the World of the Youth and their books full of crimes, excitement, realism and romanticism. Hildur Knútsdóttir, Salla Simukka and Kenneth Bøgh Andersen give short lectures and take part in discussion.
Moderator: Halla Þórlaug Óskarsdóttir.
11.50–12.30 Hádegisverður | Lunch break
12.30–13.00 – NORD: Playful Reading | Lecture hall
Writer Camilla Hübbe and professor Susana Tosca, who specializes in digital aesthetics, introduce NORD – an interactive app-novel that develops a new Nordic visual identity. The story combines a collective Nordic heritage and mythology with a twist of climate changes and the danger the world faces.
13.00–13.50 – Maps and Geography | Lecture hall
Maps, landscapes, seascapes, imaginary places and real-life monsters. What can we learn from studying maps in children’s books? How do we explore imaginary space? Do topography and literature talk to each other? Nina Goga (Bergen University College), Björn Sundmark (Malmö University), Olga Holownia (University of Iceland) and Lára Aðalsteinsdóttir (Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature), will look at how the Nordic nature and landscapes have been visualized and depicted in children’s books and also how maps can help with language comprehension and appreciation of literature.
13.50–14.40 – The Literary Playground | Lecture hall
Playfulness and reading – Development and innovation in interactive literature. Discussions on interactive children’s literature and reading experience. Participants: Susana Tosca, Nina Goga, Olga Holownia and Björn Sundmark.
Moderator: Ævar Þór Benediktsson.
14.40–15.00 Kaffihlé | Coffee break
15.00–15.40 – Maps as a Creative Tool in Teaching | Meeting Room
Björn Sundmark, Professor of English at Malmö University, leads a workshop showing how children’s literature and creative writing can be taught with the help of maps.
15.00–15.50 – Differently Normal | Lecture hall
Who is normal and who is different? A seminar on self-image, outsiders and minorities in books for children. Are characters in children’s books getting more diverse? Lawrence Schimel, Kenneth Bøgh Andersen and Kätlin Kaldmaa give short lectures and take part in discussion.
Moderator: Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir.
Registration: myrinskraning[at]gmail.com
Registration Fee: 3.500 ISK.
Coffee and light lunch included.
Register by 3 October 2016.
Saturday 8 Oct
Art workshops and seminars
11.00–12.00 – Animals, Mirrors and Masks | Lecture hall
A seminar on picture books for young children. Illustrations in books for younger readers often are full of animals and odd creatures. How does this group of readers reflect itself in those pictures? What is the best way to reach a younger age group with pictures? Illustrators Anthony Browne (UK), Hanne Bartholin (Denmark), Lawrence Schimel (USA) and Linda Ólafsdóttir (Iceland) give short lectures and take part in discussion.
Language: English.
Moderator: Ragnheiður Gestsdóttir.
11.00–12.00 – Let’s make a story! | Children’s library
Author Gerður Kristný leads a workshop for kids where imagination runs wild. How are stories told? What tricks do authors use to bring readers under their spell? We write our own stories and read them aloud.
Language: Icelandic. Register by 3 Oct. Age: 9–11.
12.40–13.40 – Icelandic Illustration Today | Lecture hall
Where do Icelandic illustrators and their art stand today? What characterizes Icelandic illustration? Is the environment in Iceland beneficial for illustrators and what does the future look like? Do we need illustrations in books at all?
Literary scholar and pictorial editor Margrét Tryggvadóttir, author and publisher Huginn Þór Grétarsson at Óðinsauga publishing house, illustrator and head of the illustrations department at the Reykjavík Art School Anna Cynthia Leplar, illustrator Kristín Ragna Gunnarsdóttir and art historian Aðalsteinn Ingólfsson give short lectures and take part in discussion.
Language: Icelandic.
Moderator: Margrét Tryggvadóttir.
12.40–13.40 – Comics Workshop | Children’s library
Comics Workshop with artist Mari Ahokoivu from Finland. Mari is also participating in a Nordic comic festival in the City Library as well as in the exhibition Hunger of Horror. We’ll draw a short comic using a character who we have just made up! No previous comics or drawing experience needed!
Language: English / Icelandic interpretation. Register by 3 Oct. Age: 8–12.
14.00–14.40 – Ofurhetja í heimi barnabóka: Anthony Browne | Lecture hall
Illustrator, writer and literary scholar Kristín Ragna Gunnarsdóttir gives a lecture on the celebrated British artist Anthony Browne and takes a closer look at his picture book Voices in the Park. Browne is known for his playful use of the picture book form. Through the interplay of words and pictures, he creates multi-layered works and his fantastical imagery relies upon the active participation of the reader.
Language: Icelandic.
14.00–15.00 – Let’s make our own stories | Children’s library
Swedish author and illustrator Pernilla Stalfelt, known for her frisky books on big and complicated matters like violence, death and life itself, makes cartoons with the kids.
Language: English / Icelandic interpretation. Register by 3 Oct. Age: 6–9.
15.00–15.30 – Into the Wind! | The foyer
Artist talk: Illustrator Rán Flygenring shows guests around Into the Wind!, an exhibition of the artworks of seventeen illustrators from the Nordic countries. The exhibition opened in Berlin in May and will be travelling in German-speaking regions and the Nordic countries until 2018.
Language: Icelandic. Free entrance and open to all.
Register by 3 October 2016 at myrinskraning[at]gmail.com
All workshops and events for children are free.
Sunday 9 Oct
Guest OF Honour and Jamboree!
11.00–17.00 – Into the Wind | The foyer
The exhibition of illustrations in the foyer of the Nordic House is open every day.
11.00–17.00 – Century of the Child | Exhibition rooms
Barnets århundrede, Century of the Child: Nordic Design for Children 1900 to Today, is open every day. Free for children under 18.
13.30–15.00 – Ævar the Scientist | Children’s library and the Greenhouse
Ævar the Scientist is author Ævar Þór Benediktsson’s TV personality. Ævar invites kids to a jamboree: playing games and helping out with making exciting scientific experiments.
Language: Icelandic. Register by 3 Oct. Age: 6–10.
Guest of Honour
13.30–15.30 – Come visit Guðrún | Lecture hall
An honorary programme dedicated to the much-beloved children’s books author Guðrún Helgadóttir. Literary scholar Silja Aðalsteinsdóttir leads a talk with Guðrún. Other guests are literary scholar and former minister of culture Katrín Jakobsdóttir and actor and director Gunnar Helgason.
Language: Icelandic.
Live music!
The festival program ends with live music: Singer and actress Brynhildur Björnsdóttir performs delightful songs from the play Sitji guðs englar, by Jóhann G. Jóhannsson and Þórarinn Eldjárn, accompanied by the band Mandólín.
Sunday’s coffee menu at Aalto Bistro will be in the spirit of Guðrún Helgadóttir’s memorable books. Enjoy!
Register by 3 October 2016 at myrinskraning[at]gmail.com
All workshops and events for children are free.
Please note that the event schedule may change.
www.myrin.is