Icelandic Playwriting Showcased in Oslo
A successful event took place at the Residence of the Icelandic Ambassador in Oslo, where excerpts from new works by Hrafnhildur Hagalín and Tyrfingur Tyrfingsson were presented. The Performing Arts Centre Iceland, in collaboration with the Embassy of Iceland in Norway, Business Iceland, and the Nordic Drama Corner, hosted the presentation of Icelandic playwriting on Tuesday, 11 November. Ambassador Högni Kristjánsson and Mrs Ásgerður Magnúsdóttir welcomed guests with warmth and generosity.
Following a brief address by the Ambassador, Friðrik Friðriksson, Director of the Performing Arts Centre Iceland, introduced the current landscape and development of Icelandic performing arts. This was followed by staged readings from two new Icelandic plays:
– Heim (Home) by Hrafnhildur Hagalín, translated by Maren Barlien
– Rými fyrir ást (Space for Love) by Tyrfingur Tyrfingsson, translated by Maren Barlien
The readings were performed in Norwegian by an excellent group of actors: Nanna Lundevall, Fredrik Aakerhus, Anderz Eide, and Helen Vikstvedt.
After the readings, guests were invited to a reception where they had the opportunity to speak with the playwrights, learn more about the works, and exchange ideas. This provided a valuable occasion to strengthen connections between Icelandic and Norwegian theatre professionals and to discuss opportunities for presenting Icelandic plays abroad.
The following day, the Icelandic delegation held meetings with representatives from Nationaltheatret, Det Norske Teatret, and Vega Scene, focusing on networking, promotion strategies, and future collaboration in playwriting and theatre exchange.
The event in Oslo marked the final stop in a series of Icelandic playwright presentations in 2025. The first took place in Berlin in September, followed by Helsinki on 3 November, and the Oslo event concluded the project on a strong and inspiring note.
The aim of the initiative is to introduce Icelandic playwrights internationally, strengthen creative networks, and support the presentation and circulation of Icelandic works abroad.
Photos: Myriam Marti Fotografi & FS Foto
