The May Star Poetry Prize was presented at the National Library on Wednesday, May 15. The Icelandic Writers' Association is sponsoring the prize together with the National Library of Iceland – University Library.

The May Star Award for Poetry Book of the Year 2023 will be awarded to Gyrðir Elíasson for his poetry book "The Lover". 

Quasar & While the Glass Sleeps

The jury's comment on the award book states:

"The poems in Gyrður Elíasson's two-part poem are quiet, reserved, haunting and as impressive as the poet who composes them. But the influence of Gyrður's work on Icelandic literature is undeniable and at the same time so intertwined with our thinking that we do not always notice them. The subjects of the poems come from many places: dreams and reality are intertwined in a simple way, as are nature and the man-made, joy and sorrow, humor and melancholy, countryside and city, sky and soil. The imagery is clear, pure and charming like a lake on a bright summer day, and in this clarity there is much that is true, beautiful and important. The poet uses poetry to reveal to the reader the mysteriousness of the everyday, from which he draws inspiration in a sincere and modest but at the same time complex way. Existential speculations and the search for the meaning of life are "The author's thoughts and feelings are heartfelt and important, but these age-old questions are constantly renewed in life and therefore constantly surprise the reader. The poem "Dulstirni" and "Medan glerið sefur" is a valuable reminder that beauty lies in simplicity and is never far away."

Gyrðir Elíasson was born in Reykjavík on April 4, 1961. He is originally from the Eastfjords, but grew up in Sauðárkrókur and attended primary and secondary school there. For a time he lived in Borgarnes and Akranes, and later in Reykjavík, but has lived in Garður in the South Iceland for many years.

Gyrðir has spent almost his entire adult life working as a writer and has published dozens of literary works of various kinds; poetry books, short stories, short prose, novels and translations. His first published book, the poetry book Svarthvít axlabönd, was published in 1983, but his original poetry books now number 18. He has also been an active poetry translator and has twice received the Icelandic Translation Award for his poetry translations.

Gyrðir has received numerous awards and recognitions for his original works, including the Icelandic Literature Prize in 2000 for the short story collection Gula húsið and the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2011 for the short story collection Milli trjánna. His works have been translated and published around the world and are enjoying growing popularity. A book about his poetry was recently published in Norway, and his latest work, the poem duo Dulstirni/Meðan glerið sefur, is expected to be translated into several languages ​​before long.

It should also be noted that Gyrðir recently held a large exhibition of his artwork, and for quite some time now, images by him have appeared on the covers of his books. It is safe to say that there the author showed yet another side of himself that attracted significant and well-deserved attention.

All published Icelandic poetry books from 2023 that were returned to the National Library of Iceland – University Library were eligible for consideration and were presented to a jury for consideration. The jury is composed of Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir on behalf of the Icelandic Writers' Association and Jakub Stachowiak on behalf of the National Library.

The May Star is the only prize in Iceland awarded for a published book of poetry. The prize is intended to draw special attention to the flourishing poetry publishing industry in Iceland as well as the importance of returning poetry books to the National and University Library of Iceland as a mandatory deposit and thus preserving them as part of the nation's cultural heritage. The prize money is 350 thousand krónur. The initiative to establish the May Star was taken by Kári Tulinius, a poet and writer.

An exhibition of the award-winning book and the author's previous works was opened on this occasion.