Veröld – House of Vigdís
Veröld – House of Vigdís is University of Iceland’s most recent building, housing Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages, The Vigdís International Centre for Multilingualism and Intercultural Understanding and, the University’s Faculty of Languages and Cultures.
The building was formally opened by University Rector Jón Atli Benediktsson and Vigdís Finnbogadóttir on 20 April, 2017.
With the building, the Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages has an appropriate setting and forum in which to nurture interest in language and culture.
Veröld – House of Vigdís
Veröld – House of Vigdís is University of Iceland’s most recent building, housing Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages, The Vigdís International Centre for Multilingualism and Intercultural Understanding and, the University’s Faculty of Languages and Cultures.
The building was formally opened by University Rector Jón Atli Benediktsson and Vigdís Finnbogadóttir on 20 April, 2017.
With the building, the Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages has an appropriate setting and forum in which to nurture interest in language and culture.
Veröld – House of Vigdís
Veröld – House of Vigdís is University of Iceland’s most recent building, housing Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages, The Vigdís International Centre for Multilingualism and Intercultural Understanding and, the University’s Faculty of Languages and Cultures.
The building was formally opened by University Rector Jón Atli Benediktsson and Vigdís Finnbogadóttir on 20 April, 2017.
With the building, the Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages has an appropriate setting and forum in which to nurture interest in language and culture.

Veröld – House of Vigdís opened on 20. apríl 2017
Veröld – House of Vigdís is open to visitors on weekdays from 11:00 to 16:00, and by appointment. In Veröld, you can learn about Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the world’s first democratically directly elected female president. You can also learn about the architecture of this beautiful building, and the activities of the Institute and Language Centre housed in Veröld. There are guided tours around the building by appointment.
VFI
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir
Institute of Foreign Languages
VIMIUC
Vigdís International Centre for Multi-
lingualism and Intercultural Understanding
EVENTS
Next 5 Upcoming Events

Event Details
In 2018, The Emissary by Japanese author Yoko Tawada received one of the most prestigious literary prizes awarded in the United States, the National Book Awards, in the category of
Event Details
In 2018, The Emissary by Japanese author Yoko Tawada received one of the most prestigious literary prizes awarded in the United States, the National Book Awards, in the category of Translated Literature. At this online event, we get the unique opportunity of meeting the two award recipients, the author Yoko Tawada and her translator Margaret Mitsutani, who have enjoyed years of fruitful collaboration. The Emissary was published by Angústúra in Icelandic in 2020. The discussion will be moderated by Kristín Ingvarsdóttir, Assistant Professor of Contemporary Japanese Studies.
The event will be streamed live on the facebook page of the Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages, on 2 February 2021 at 14.00-15.00.
About Tawada Yoko
Yoko Tawada was born in Tokyo in 1960 but moved to Germany in her twenties. She writes in both Japanese and German and has, among other things, published stories, novels and poems in both languages. She has received numerous awards for her work which include the Akutagawa and Tanizaki Prizes, the Adelbert von Chamisso Prize and the Goethe Medal.
About Margaret Mitsutani
Margaret Mitsutani is a translator of Yoko Tawada and Japan’s 1994 Nobel Prize laureate Kenzaburo Oe.
About The Emissary
Tawada Yoko‘s novel The Emissary is a light-hearted meditation on mortality. Japan cuts itself off from the rest of the world after suffering a great disaster. Children are born weak and the only ones that can get up and go around are the elderly. Mumei lives with his great-grandfather Yoshiro, carrying out their daily lives in a dystopian world. Mumei, despite being grey-haired and frail, is full of wit and free of self-pity. In this playfully joyous novel, Tawada Yoko turns the dystopian scenario inside out in her own impressively funny way.
Source and photos: ndbook.com
Time
(Tuesday) 14:00 - 15:00
Organizer
Vigdísarstofnun

Event Details
Conference: FIPLV / NBR Conference Date: 10-11 June 2021 Venue: Veröld - House of Vigdís, University of Iceland Special theme: Future of Languages The
Event Details
Conference: FIPLV / NBR Conference
Date: 10-11 June 2021
Venue: Veröld – House of Vigdís, University of Iceland
Special theme: Future of Languages
The conference Future of Languages will take place at the University of Iceland in Reykjavík in 2021. The venue is “Veröld – House of Vigdís” named after Iceland’s former president, Madame Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the first and only UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Languages. The conference program will consist of theoretical and practical presentations as we join forces to learn from each others’ experiences and practices, while simultaneously gaining knowledge about future perspectives and challenges. Presentations will be in different languages, but English will be the main conference language.
The conference will give teachers of languages and others interested in its theme an opportunity to evaluate the past, re-evaluate the present and consider the future of languages, language learning and teaching, as well as policy making – specifically in the Baltic and Nordic regions.
The Conference is sponsored by University of Iceland, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages, Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, The Icelandic Teacher’s Union and Hannesarholt Culture House.
ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING COVID-19:
Dear all.
The unfolding corona virus (COVID-19) crisis has significantly affected all our lives in the past few weeks. As authorities work to contain the spread of the virus, many national and international events have been postponed. Due to continued uncertainties, the organizers of the conference, Future of Languages 2020, due to take place in Reykjavík, Iceland, this coming June, have decided to postpone the event until next summer.
The NBR/FIPLV biannual conference Future of Languages will therefore be held in Reykjavík, Iceland, June 10 and 11, 2021. The published program and registrations will be transferred to the 2021 event.
By January 2021, the organizers will re-send the call for papers and request re-confirmation from registered participants who have already paid. Accepted papers will also be transferred to next year’s conference.
Should participants wish to withdraw from the conference, 75% of the registration fee will be refunded. The remaining 25% will cover expenses already incurred. For a refund, please write to foflanguages@hi.is before May 31, 2020.
We regret that it has come to this, but we must consider participants’ health and well-being. We look forward to welcoming you to Iceland in 2021.
With best regards.
Dr. Hólmfríður Garðarsdóttir
President of STÍL
Chair of the organizing committee
November 1, 2020 Deadline for abstract submission (Please mail to: infovigdis@hi.is, with the subject line: NBR abstract)
November 15, 2020 Deadline for notification of acceptance
February 15, 2021 Draft Program / Registration / Practical Details
March 30, 2021 Final Program / Practical Details
May 15, 2021 Last Circular Letter
June 11/12, 2021 Conference Dates
Main themes
Future of Languages:
The roles of systematic language learning and teaching?
Means to promote language learning and cultural literacy?
Language Teaching Methodology / to whom / where and when?
What are our challenges / strengths?
How can language teachers and / or their associations contribute to society / community / humanity?
Call for Papers
Proposals for presentations should be submitted prior to October 15, 2020.
Please include: Name, affiliation, title and language of communication, followed by a short description of content. Maximum 200 words.
Please send to: infovigdis@hi.is / Subject: NBR abstract.
Fees and Registration
Registration will re-open 1 January 2021 and closes 1 May 2021.
Register by paying the participation fee. Your registration is not valid until payment has been made.
The conference fee includes conference organization, conference materials, coffee breaks and light lunches.
Accommodation, transport from/to airport and/or hotels and conference dinner are not included.
FIPLV / NBR Early registration, (upto 1 March 2021) 12.500 ISK, pay here (around 90 euros)
FIPLV / NBR Late registration, (after 1 March 2021) 16.500 ISK, pay here (around 120 euros)
FIPLV / NBR Students/emiriti, 6.800 ISK, pay here (around 50 euros)
The Icelandic Krona rates compared against other currencies can be checked here
Fee refund requests received on or before 1 March 2020 will be 70 % of total fees paid. No refunds after 15 April 2021.
Questions related to fee payment can be directed to Hólmfríður Garðarsdóttir, Conference coordinator at holmfr@hi.is
Keynote speakers
Confirmed:
Dr. Ofelia García, Professor Emerita in the Ph.D. programs of Urban Education of Latin American, Iberian, and Latino Cultures (LAILAC) at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.
Sara Breslin, Executive Director, at the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML), in Graz, Austria.
Other keynote speakers will be announced soon.
Program
Preliminary program can be downloaded here.
A chair will be assigned to each session or panel at the conference. His/her role will be to introduce the speakers, keep track of time and assist with technical support. Every speaker has 25 min at his/her disposal, 20 min for the presentation and 5 for questions and answers. Should you have any questions, please direct them to foflanguages@hi.is
Venue
The conference will be held in Veröld – hús Vigdísar • Brynjólfsgata 1 (corner with Suðurgata) • 107 Reykjavík
Coordinates: 64.140001, -21.952594 or 64°08’24.0″N 21°57’09.3″W. This is in walking distance from many hotels and accommodation options in downtown and west Reykjavík.
Closest bus-stops are Háskólabíó, Hótel Saga and, somewhat further away, Háskóli Íslands or Hagatorg.
The Building is connected with the main buildings of the university campus via a tunnel to the Háskólatorg building.
Accommodation
Tourism in Iceland has grown immensely and moderately-priced lodging is quick to fill up. We encourage conference participants to book accommodation as early as possible to avoid high prices and limited availability. Websites such as Booking.com and Airbnb.com will provide information about a range of accommodation possibilities. For more information about hotels and other types of lodging in Reykjavik, see HERE.
Travel
Keflavík International Airport (KEF), the main airport in Iceland, is located 40 kilometers from Reykjavík, the capital city. Over 20 airlines offer flights to and from Iceland through the airport. For information about flights to Iceland, see HERE.
Transportation to Reykjavík from the airport is available by bus, Flybus or taxi, see HERE.
The only public transportation in Reykjavík is the bus system, commonly called Stræto. See their website for information about fares, timetable, and a route planner, HERE.
The two main taxi companies in Reykjavík are Hreyfill, tel. +354 588 55 22 see HERE and Taxi BSR, tel. +354- 56 10000, see HERE. When calling for a taxi you can expect it to arrive within 10 minutes.
For a map of the University of Iceland see HERE.
WIFI
The Internet can be accessed through Eduroam on the University premises.
Money
The official currency in Iceland is ISK (Icelandic krona). Recognised credit/debit cards are accepted in all restaurants, shops, hotels and cash machines. For the official exchange rate of ISK towards major currencies, see HERE.
Language
The native language in Iceland is Icelandic, but English is widely used.
Excursion / Tour
Half-day excursion will be available for conference guests.
Information will be available in May 2021.
Styrkir
Í nýjasta Eplinu eru gleðifréttir fyrir þá kennara sem eru félagar í FF. Nú er hægt að sækja um styrk fyrir ráðstefnum og námskeiðum innanlands í B deild og einnig er í boði að fá greiddan aksturskostnað skv. ákveðnum reglum. Endilega kynnið ykkur málið.
Time
10 (Thursday) 09:00 - 11 (Friday) 17:00
Location
Veröld - House of Vigdís
Organizer
STÍL & VFI

Event Details
We regret to inform you that in light of current circumstances due to Covid-19,
Event Details
We regret to inform you that in light of current circumstances due to Covid-19, we have decided to postpone the Nordic Intercultural Communication conference until November 2021. The NIC conference will take place at the University of Iceland on 25-27 November 2021. The conference themes will be the same as indicated in our CFP for NIC 2020 (Changing Regional Identities and Intercultural Communication).
The new deadline for proposals is 1 May 2021.
Those who already sent in proposals for individual papers and/or panels, please confirm your interest in the conference by sending us your proposal again by 1 May 2021.
Updates on the conference will be posted on the NIC website.
Best regards,
The Conference Committee
Department of Languages and Cultures, University of Iceland
About the Conference
Conference: Nordic Intercultural Communication Conference 2020: Changing regional identities and intercultural communication
Date: 25-27 November 2021
Venue: Veröld – House of Vigdís, University of Iceland
Potential themes could include:
- A geographically growing and/or changing Nordic region
- Mobility and cultural encounters within the Nordic countries
- Multiple Nordic identities (fx West Nordic, Nordic-British, Nordic Arctic, Nordic-Baltic etc)
- Identity politics and discourses about “Norden”, changing power dynamics and political relations
- Minority and majority languages in a Nordic context
- Communication across the Nordic region, Scandinavian languages and collaborations
- Language sustainability
- Intercultural communication through literature – including children´s literature
Contributions from seasoned scholars as well as from students and practitioners interested in the various aspects of culture and communication are encouraged.
The conference is held as part of the network Nordic Intercultural Communication (NIC)
Members of the Conference Committee:
- Auður Hauksdóttir, Professor in Danish at the University of Iceland – auhau@hi.is
- Ann-Sofie Gremaud, Assistant Professor in Danish at the University of Iceland – gremaud@hi.is
- Kristín Ingvarsdóttir, Assistant Professor in Japanese at the University of Iceland – kristini@hi.is
- Ingibjörg Ágústsdóttir, Associate Professor in British Literature at the University of Iceland – ingibjoa@hi.is
2 August 2021 Deadline for abstract submission (Please mail to: infovigdis@hi.is, with the subject line: NIC Proposal)
To be confirmed Draft Program / Registration / Practical Details
To be confirmed Final Program / Practical Details
To be confirmed Last Circular Letter
25-27 November 2021 Conference Dates
Fees and Registration
To be confirmed
Keynote Speakers
To be confirmed.
Program
To be confirmed
A chair will be assigned to each session or panel at the conference. His/her role will be to introduce the speakers, keep track of time and assist with technical support. Every speaker has 25 min at his/her disposal, 20 min for the presentation and 5 for questions and answers.
Venue
The conference will be held in Veröld – hús Vigdísar • Brynjólfsgata 1 (corner with Suðurgata) • 107 Reykjavík
Coordinates: 64.140001, -21.952594 or 64°08’24.0″N 21°57’09.3″W. This is in walking distance from many hotels and accommodation options in downtown and west Reykjavík.
Closest bus-stops are Háskólabíó, Hótel Saga and, somewhat further away, Háskóli Íslands or Hagatorg.
The Building is connected with the main buildings of the university campus via a tunnel to the Háskólatorg building.
Accommodation
Tourism in Iceland has grown immensely and moderately-priced lodging is quick to fill up. We encourage conference participants to book accommodation as early as possible to avoid high prices and limited availability. Websites such as Booking.com and Airbnb.com will provide information about a range of accommodation possibilities. For more information about hotels and other types of lodging in Reykjavik, see HERE.
Travel
Keflavík International Airport (KEF), the main airport in Iceland, is located 40 kilometers from Reykjavík, the capital city. Over 20 airlines offer flights to and from Iceland through the airport. For information about flights to Iceland, see HERE.
Transportation to Reykjavík from the airport is available by bus, Flybus or taxi, see HERE.
The only public transportation in Reykjavík is the bus system, commonly called Stræto. See their website for information about fares, timetable, and a route planner, HERE.
The two main taxi companies in Reykjavík are Hreyfill, tel. +354 588 55 22 see HERE and Taxi BSR, tel. +354- 56 10000, see HERE. When calling for a taxi you can expect it to arrive within 10 minutes.
For a map of the University of Iceland see HERE.
WIFI
The Internet can be accessed through Eduroam on the University premises.
Money
The official currency in Iceland is ISK (Icelandic krona). Recognised credit/debit cards are accepted in all restaurants, shops, hotels and cash machines. For the official exchange rate of ISK towards major currencies, see HERE.
Language
The native language in Iceland is Icelandic, but English is widely used.
Excursion / Tour
To be confirmed.
Time
(Thursday) 09:00 - 17:00
Location
Veröld - House of Vigdís
Organizer
Vigdís Institute and International Centre
Veröld House of Vigdís
University of Iceland
Brynjólfsgötu 1
107 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 525 4191
Email: infovigdis@hi.is
Kt. 600169-2039
We are here!
9:00-17:00