During this part of the interview, Andri provides some great insight into the current literature landscape in Iceland and the impact of literature from this country on the world. We start off this interview talking about Reykjavík being a UNESCO City of Literature. Andri is a great person to talk about this because he is the chairman of the board for the Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature.

Andri also shares he favorite pieces of Icelandic literature, his environmental advocacy work, his run for Presidency and, of course, his favorite Icelandic word or phrase. If you have not listened to part one, I highly recommend that you do so that you learn more about Andri.

Some of the people the Icelandic authors that Andri recommend are Halldór Laxness, Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir, Sjón, Krístin Omarsdóttir and Neil Gaiman. He also recommended reading Njáls Saga and the Poetic Edda.

The Questions I Asked Andri During This Episode

1. Reykjavík has been designated as a UNESCO City of Literature, and it is the first non-native English-speaking city to receive this title. Why is it that Reykjavík received this prestigious title?

2. What makes the literary culture in Iceland is so strong?

3. Can you provide some insight on the current literature landscape in Iceland? Are Icelanders still eager to publish and read Icelandic literature, especially in this age of social media and other technological distractions?

4. What are some places in the city that you recommend for people to check out if they are visiting, or live here, and want to learn more about Iceland’s rich literary history?

5. If a person wants to dive into Icelandic literature, where do you recommend that they start?

6. What are your favorite pieces of Icelandic literature?

7. Your book Dreamland: A Self-Help Manual for a Frightened Nation was the best-selling book in Iceland in 2006 an...