The friendship between the peoples of Norway and Iceland has deep roots, woven with strong bands of history and culture. The magnificent older editions of Snorre Sturlason’s Heimskringla, the new translation of the works of Tormod Torfæus and most recently the complete edition of the Icelandic sagas and short tales are unshakable proof of the fact that our literary inheritance is of everlasting value and has a message to all generations.
The Flatøybok now enters this series of major works. The Norwegian translation reaffirms that the old works are still a foundation for this indissoluble solidarity.

The Flatøybok is the largest Icelandic medieval manuscript and it returned to its people when, along with The Elder Edda, it was brought back to our country by a Danish naval vessel about forty years ago – when tens of thousands of people flocked down to the quay to celebrate the homecoming of these first manuscripts.
Some people say that a finer book will never be compiled in Iceland. More than one hundred calves were slaughtered to provide the vellum for the work. The creative craft of the writers has been carried out with supreme art in lovely illustrations and richness of colour.

The Flatøybok is a diversified collection of royal sagas, Icelandic short tales, poetry, annals and other medieval texts – it is in actual fact a whole library. It is one of the cornerstones of Icelandic culture and Norwegian history – a woven fabric of the eternal friendship and solidarity of our people.