Saga literature showcases friendship which is closely tied to loyalty. Maria Parr's novel is about the friendship between a boy and girl in a world that is both idyllic and full of adventure. And in Marjun Syderbø Kjelnæs' book, which is designed for younger readers, friendship takes on a slightly different meaning.
Why 'Friendship in the North'?
Friendship is one of the most important of all human relationships. What could provide a stronger sense of security than the knowledge that you have a good friend? We often take a nostalgic look back at our childhoods and the friendships we forged as youngsters: they have an important place in our heart. We need good friends, and we want to be friends to others. That feeling of belonging is central to our lives.
Friendship comes in a number of forms: rapport between peers; a connection between people of different genders; the bond between generations; and the attachment that exists between people and animals. You can also be friends with yourself, and form ties of friendship with people you don't know in real life.
Friendship builds bridges between people and countries. Befriending one another and working together across borders helps us maintain peace and understanding all over the world. Cooperation between the Nordic countries is very effective, even though history has shown us that it hasn't always been this way. A shared history and the similarities between our cultures and languages foster good neighbourly relations.
Nordic Library Week will make this friendship even more visible, as we will be connected by a shared activity – readings of the works of Nordic authors. The Baltic States will also be taking part in the project, as in previous years: a sign of the strong bond that exists between them and their Nordic neighbours.
This year's theme is designed to shine the spotlight on different facets of friendship, viewing it from unusual and sometimes unexpected angles.
What is Nordic Library Week?
In the gloomiest time of the year, libraries in the Nordic countries organise Nordic Library Week, as they have been doing each year under the auspices of the League of Norden Associations since 1997. It is seven days of exhibitions, readings, book presentations and discussions in thousands of libraries, schools and community centres in the Nordic countries, Baltic States and Belarus.
The event is designed to showcase Nordic literature and to promote reading and story-telling. Candles will be lit in the darkness of November and excerpts from the Books of the Year will be read aloud. The readings will take place twice a day: in the early morning light (for children) and in the shadow of evening (for adults). There will also be readings and activities for teenagers and young adults.
Additional information
Any questions you have about Nordic Library Week in Estonia will be answered by Eha Vain, cultural adviser with the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia (+372 627 3104 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). You can also order up to three posters and postcards via Eha and ask her about the events taking place as part of the week.
Eha also asks all those taking part in the event to inform her of their activities so as to add this information to the Nordic Library Week website. Please also follow the Facebook page of the Nordic Library Week for details of exciting events.
Please make use of the Nordic Library Week logo on advertisements, printed materials, event designs, press releases and anything else related to the week.
Friendship is an expression of belonging, and we hope you get a sense of this as part of Nordic Library Week. Reading the same text at the same time, we can think about people we don't know and who are far away from us, but who we are sharing the same experience and same feelings with at that very moment.
Enjoy Nordic Library Week 2015 'Friendship in the North'!