Óvinir - The Enemies project: Iceland 

Óvinir was an ambitious collaborative poetry project, pairing writers from both Iceland and the UK to create brand new works for readings in London, Reyvjavik and Stykkishólmur in January 2016. 45 writers and poets were involved over 3 events, curated by SJ Fowler and Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir, and supported by Reykjavik UNESCO city of literature. Ovinir evidenced the best of both Icelandic and British 21st century literary and avant-garde writing, and the powerful potential of collaboration to bring together communities of poets and create dynamic new pieces of literature to large, engaged audiences.
Picture right by Markús Már Efraím.

Óvinir: London - January Saturday 30th 2016: Rich Mix Arts Centre

An amazing evening to a standing room only crowd, featuring brand new collaborations written in pairs and in collectives from over 20 poets active on the contemporary London scene, including Hannah Silva, Joanna Walsh, Jack Underwood, and Andri Snær Magnason, Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir, Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir & Eiríkur Örn Nörðdahl visiting from Iceland. 

Featuring Andri Snær Magnason & Joanna Walsh, Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir & SJ Fowler, Eiríkur Örn Nörðdahl & Hannah Silva, Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir & Jack Underwood, Lucy Furlong & Sarah Dawson, Mohammed Al-Houti, Alex Brinded, Jo Longley, Karly Stilling & Raif Mansell, Rose Ades, John Canfield, Susie Campbell, Joe Turrent & Eileen Daly, Ana Lucia Beck, Ella Frears, Claudia Juhre, Lavinia Singer,  Simone Gilson & Iris Colomb.

Óvinir: Reykjavik at the Iðnó theatre- January Friday 22nd 2016

An amazing evening in the beautiful surroundings of the Iðnó theatre, featuring brand new collaborations written in pairs from 20 poets, artists and musicians active on the contemporary Reykjavik scene, with over a hundred people in attendance for a standing room only celebration of the potential of collaboration. including: Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir & Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl / Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir & SJ Fowler / Angela Rawlings & Arngunnur Árnadóttir / Andri Snær Magnason & Arnar Freyr Frostason / Dagur Hjartarson & Soffía Bjarnadóttir / Elías Knörr & Bergþóra Einarsdóttir / Kristín Svava Tómasdóttir & Ragnar Helgi Ólafsson / Sigurbjörg Þrastardóttir & Bergþóra Snæbjörnsdóttir / Anton Helgi Jónsson & Juan Camilo Román Estrada / Kári Tulinius & Halldóra K. Thoroddsen. Pictures below by Markús Már Efraím.

Óvinir: Stykkishólmur at the Library of Water - January Saturday 23rd 2016

Held at Vatnasafn / The Library of Water, a long-term project conceived by Roni Horn for a former library in the coastal town of Stykkishólmur in Iceland (http://www.libraryofwater.is/), the second event of Ovinir, the Enemies Project in Iceland, saw readings, recitals and performances from six artists on January 23rd 2016. Children's literature, music, art performance and poetry all made up a unique and beautiful evening on the west coast of Iceland, from Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir, Marteinn Sindri Jónsson, Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir, Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir & SJ Fowler.

and an impromptu recital by Marteinn Sindri Jónsson at the Sjávarpakkhúsið restaurant in Stykkishólmur, Iceland, with poet / musician / local human participation, taking place after a performance at the Library of Water

Nýr Skáldskapur : Icelandic Enemies: November 2011

One of the very first Enemies project's with an international focus, four Icelandic poets collaborated with four British counterparts for two free events in London in November 2011. The events were vastly important for the development of the collaborative nature of the Enemies project, no doubt helped by the brilliance of a new generation of Icelandic poets.