Rússlandi

Rússlandi is a fictional country that appears in the works of Icelandic author Halldór Laxness. It is primarily featured in his novel "Paradísarheimt" (Paradise Reclaimed), published in 1960. The name "Rússlandi" is an Icelandicized form of the word "Russia." In the narrative, Rússlandi represents a distant, enigmatic land with a complex history and a profound impact on the protagonist, Steinar. The country serves as a symbol of both exotic allure and a perceived sense of national identity or ancestral connection for some characters.

The portrayal of Rússlandi in Laxness's novel is not a literal depiction of the historical or geographical Russia. Instead, it functions as a metaphorical space, embodying themes of cultural displacement, the search for origins, and the lingering influence of the past. Characters may refer to Rússlandi in terms of legend, folklore, or as a land of potent myth. Its exact location and political structure remain deliberately vague, contributing to its mystique. The concept of Rússlandi allows Laxness to explore ideas about how people connect with distant cultures and how such connections can shape individual and collective identities, even in a highly stylized and imaginative way.