Description
Summary
Description
Discover Iceland's culture and literature with an admission ticket to World in Words, a permanent exhibition in the Edda building in central Reykjavik. The exhibition suits culture lovers, history fans, and curious travelers, and lets you see Iceland's medieval manuscripts and learn the stories that shaped the nation.
World in Words is a permanent exhibition by the Arni Magnusson Institute for Icelandic Studies. Here, you can see some of Iceland's most treasured medieval manuscripts, including sagas, poetry, and historical texts.
These texts show how past generations understood life, society, and the natural world. The exhibition combines the manuscripts with modern presentation, so you can explore Iceland's literary heritage in an engaging way.
World in Words focuses on the world of the manuscripts. These medieval works deal with themes such as the beginning and end of the world, faith, life and death, honor, and power, and show how Iceland was influenced by ideas from abroad.
In turn, Icelandic literature left its own mark on other countries. Through interactive displays, you can examine original manuscripts, listen to readings, watch videos, and use touchscreens to explore the stories behind these artifacts.
The exhibition is as much about how the manuscripts were made as about the finished works. You learn about the materials used, the craftsmanship involved, and the society in which they were created.
The content welcomes all visitors, whether you are a scholar of Old Norse literature or simply curious about Icelandic history.
The exhibition is on the ground floor of the Edda building at Arngrimsgata 5 in central Reykjavik. The building stands next to cultural landmarks such as the National Museum of Iceland and the University of Iceland.
The exhibition space is quiet, with low lighting to protect the delicate vellum and inks, and there is seating throughout the hall, so you can pause and take it all in.
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