Flokkur: Nýjar bækur á ensku

„Write these letters on white vellum with your blood.“

Once forbidden by the church on penalty of severe punishment and even death, Iceland’s occult symbols have been subject to a remarkable transformation over the past few decades: They can now commonly be seen used as tattoos, in media such as video games, and even as components of business logos. Most books containing these symbols, known as grimoires, were confiscated and destroyed. However, a small number survived, most famously the Galdrabók. In this new and approachable edition of the Galdrabók, folklorist Kári Pálsson presents his original English translation and an edition of the grimoire’s original Icelandic text beside another grimoire never before published: the unique and quite mysterious Jarðskinna manuscript.

Every spring, over fifty species of migratory birds come to Iceland and lay their eggs in the mild and bright Arctic summer. In the winter snow covers the ground and Northern Lights light up the sky. In Here is Iceland you can read all about this volcanic island: its birds and mammals, mountains and shores, hot springs and geysers, people and culture – through spring, summer, fall and winter.

Here is Iceland! by Margrét Tryggvadóttir and Linda Ólafsdóttir was welcomed by Icelandic readers of all ages. The book was nominated for the Icelandic Literary Award and received the Women’s Literary Award, the Reykjavík City Literary Award for illustrations, and the award of the Association of Icelandic Graphic Designers.