Multilingual Writing in Iceland The Reception of Ós Pressan and its Members Nationally and Internationally

Abstract

Ós Pressan was born in the Icelandic literary landscape of 2015 as a continuation of a multilingual writing workshop sponsored by UNESCO Reykjavík City of Literature and the Reykjavík City Library. Ós Pressan prints an annual literary magazine that includes works from authors on, about or connected to Iceland and has organized workshops, a book club, and readings with visiting and local authors. This paper presents the literary collective and publishing nonprofit as an
example of multilingual literature. We look at the democratic processes of running Ós Pressan and the reception of the initiative and its members in the Icelandic media and publishing industry and abroad. We conclude that, while Ós Pressan has been received positively and some of its members were able to launch their professional careers in literature, the Icelandic media often frame Ós Pressan as the other by, among other things, emphasizing the members’ countries of origin and lengths of stay in Iceland. This image of Ós Pressan
as apart from or not a part of Icelandic literature demonstrates once more the challenges authors who don’t speak Icelandic as their first language face in the Icelandic literary landscape.
Keywords: Multilingual literature, migrant literature, non-profit initiatives, democracy, publishing industry, literary collective