Martin explored Iceland’s cultural heritage
Martin and Flateyjarbók. Photo/Supplied Photo/Courtesy
George R.R. Martin, author of the Game of Thrones books, received a private tour this weekend of Edda – the House of Icelandic Language, where he familiarized himself with the nation’s cultural heritage: the Icelandic manuscripts.
Martin came to Iceland as an honorary guest of the Iceland Noir storytelling festival, held this past weekend.
“Very interested”
In an interview with mbl.is, author Ragnar J ónasson says that the staff of the Árni Magnússon Institute decided to invite Martin to view the manuscripts when they learned he would be visiting the country.
“He was very interested,” says J ónasson , who accompanied Martin on the private tour. He adds that, among other things, they discussed the influence the manuscripts have had on Martin’s stories during the visit.
“He is a fountain of knowledge and stories, a great storyteller. It was a real pleasure to be able to show him this.”
Arrived at the right time
J ónasson also notes that Martin arrived at a fortunate moment:
“The items on display vary, and it just so happened that the Konungsbók (Codex Regius) and Flateyjarbók , among others, were currently on view.”
Martin has not yet left the country and, according to J ónasson , has now headed to South Iceland, where he plans to do some sightseeing.
Martin and the Konungsbók of the Edda poems. Photo/Courtesy
