Jón Kalman Stefánsson and Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir

Two of Iceland's most widely read authors meet for a conversation as part of the OrdFraNord literature festival. Jón Kalman Stefánsson has been published in 27 languages and is nominated in 2026 for the Nordic Council's Literature Prize for his novel Himmellegemer over verdens yderste rand. Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir broke through with Eyland (Ø) in 2016 - Iceland's best-selling book that year. Her novel Ilden was published in Danish in 2024 and was adapted into a film in 2025 starring Pilou Asbæk in a central role. In 2025 came En lykke i denne verden: en riddersaga, and the sequel is already on shelves in Icelandic.

The conversation focuses on their two most recent novels, both drawing material from history: one follows a court poet and soldier serving Iceland's most powerful woman in the 15th century, the other a brutal massacre of Spanish whalers in 1615. The authors discuss their writing processes and the themes that occupy them - the forces of nature, love, and the role of storytelling. The conversation is led by Sigurbjörg Elín Hólmarsdóttir.

Before the event you can pre-order cake from Café Kjukken - a slice of cake and a cup of coffee costs 70 kr. as a supplement to the ticket. Orders must be placed by 15 September 2026, and the offer applies only on Thursday 17 September 2026 before the event. Pick up your order at the café in good time.

The event takes place in Salen, Nørre Havnegade 15, 6400 Sønderborg. OrdFraNord is a collaboration between Dansk Centralbibliotek for Sydslesvig, Haderslev Bibliotekerne, Biblioteket Sønderborg, Verband Deutscher Büchereien Nordschleswig and Foreningen Norden, supported by Rislum Fonden.