intervjúa

Intervjuá is a concept related to post-war Icelandic culture and its impact on literature. The name is derived from the Icelandic word for "buffer" or "intermediary," referring to the perceived role of individuals who facilitated the intercultural exchange between Icelanders and foreigners post-World War II.

During the post-war period, many Icelandic writers became interested in the cultural and intellectual developments in Western Europe, particularly in France and the United Kingdom. These writers sought to engage with the ideas and currents of modernity and break away from the traditional Icelandic literary canon. To accomplish this, they turned to translators, editors, and other cultural intermediaries who helped introduce foreign authors and ideas into the Icelandic cultural landscape.

These intermediaries, often referred to as interveners, played a significant role in shaping the reception of foreign literature in Iceland. They introduced readers to authors like Samuel Beckett, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Pablo Neruda, influencing the country's literary scene and inspiring new generations of Icelandic writers.

The term "intervjuá" does not imply a negative judgment on the role of these cultural intermediaries, who often felt they were acting as guardians of the public's taste and sensitivity. Instead, it reflects the idea that their actions had a profound impact on the development of Icelandic literature and culture during a pivotal period in the country's history.

Intervjuá is largely a footnote in Icelandic cultural history, an overlooked aspect of the country's literary development in the post-war era.