‘Ólafsdóttir’s specialty is the small journeys we take to save ourselves and the ones we care for. She is the heart’s finest map-maker.’ – Sjón

Icelandic novelist, poet and lyricist Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir returns to the city to share new work inspired by her Writers Residency in Manchester earlier this summer. As part of the Festival of Libraries, Auður was hosted by the John Rylands Research Institute and Library where she enjoyed a guided tour of the historic Library and its archives, immersed herself in the city and created a new piece of work inspired by her time here. This special event will feature the premiere of that work and Auður will discuss her experiences of writing in Manchester and Reykjavik.

Auður is a prize-winning novelist, playwright and poet. She is the author of four novels: Animal Life, Hotel Silence, Miss Iceland and Butterflies in November. Hotel Silence won the Nordic Council Literature Prize, the Icelandic Literary Prize, and was chosen as the Best Icelandic Novel in 2016 by booksellers in Iceland. Hosted by writer Kate Feld and presented in partnership with Manchester UNESCO City of Literature, John Rylands Research Institute and Library and Creative Manchester.