Poet Natasha S. has received the May Star, a poetry book award from the Icelandic Writers' Association and the National and University Library of Iceland, for her poetry book Mara Comes to Visit .

The award was presented at a ceremony at the National Library today. This is the tenth time that the May Star has been awarded, but it has been awarded annually since 2017 and is the only award of its kind in Iceland that is given exclusively for published poetry books.

 

The jury's review describes the book as "strong and coherent, passionate and honest, personal and political," and it powerfully portrays the anxiety, powerlessness, and threats of our time. The poet confronts his fears in a nightmarish reality where personal experiences and global events intertwine.

 

The book Mara is Visiting was published in 2025 and deals with, among other things, the author's return to Russia after a long absence. It is also a reckoning with the political and cultural situation of the time, shedding light on the tension between personal relationships and a changing worldview.

 

Natasha S. is an Icelandic writer of Russian origin who has garnered well-deserved attention for her poetry, articles, and editorial work. Her first book of poetry, Máltaka á stríðstímum (2022), won the Tómas Guðmundsson Literary Prize and was also nominated for the May Star.

The May Star is awarded to poetry books published in Iceland and submitted to the National Library of Iceland – University Library. The award is intended to draw attention to the flourishing poetry publishing industry and the importance of poetry in Icelandic cultural life.

 

The National and University Library of Iceland sincerely congratulates Natösha S. on her recognition.