Orðstír, an honorary award for translations of Icelandic literature into foreign languages, is presented every other year in connection with the Icelandic Literature Festival. The recognition is given to individuals who have translated works from Icelandic into another language with quality and with such success that they have increased the prestige of Icelandic culture abroad.

The Orðstír honorary award was awarded in 2019 to Silvia Cosimini from Italy and John Swedenmark from Sweden.

Silvia and John are both prolific translators with a passion for Icelandic literature and language. Silvia has translated a total of around 70 works from Icelandic into Italian and is equally skilled in different literary genres. Icelandic authors she has translated include Halldór Laxness, Hallgrím Pétursson, Guðberg Bergsson, Sjón, Svöva Jakobsdóttir and Arnald Indriðason. John has translated almost 50 works from Icelandic into Swedish, including by the writers Gerður Kristnýja, Jón Kalman, Þórarin Eldjárn, Linda Vilhjálmsdóttir, Steinunni Sigurðardóttir and Gyrði Elíasson. Together, they have produced 120 high-quality translations. 

ORÐSTÍR is supported by the Centre for Icelandic Literature, Icelanders' Association, the Association of Translators and Interpreters, the Office of the President of Iceland and the Reykjavík Literature Festival.