Host of an art radio programme of The Danish Broadcasting Corporation, Karsten Pharao mediated an encounter between Icelandic author Auður Ólafsdóttir and Danish author Helle Helle (this is her name).Auður Ólafsdóttir presented her current novel of Stikling (Cutting), referring to rose cuttings which the main character of the novel takes to Southern Europe to plant - and begins a new life. After leaving his father, his disabled twin brother, and a newborn daughter from a one-night stand. The one-night stand later seeks him out in Southern Europe with his daughter, and events take off from there - all slowly finding new meaning in life. The Icelandic word of Stikling/cutting also refers to a baby and to a detour.
Danish author Helle Helle's most current novel of Ned til Hundene (roughly translates into 'down to the dogs'). A low key novel about a woman who gets off a buss stop somewhere in provincial Denmark only carrying a suitcase on wheels. All we know is - she is looking for a good place to cry. She finds a temporary home with John and Putte who cares for her, as she slowly finds meaning in the daily routines of local life - among them caring for some local dogs.
The debate between the two Nordic Council Literature Prize nominees 2009 (announced in April go to Norwegian author Per Petterson in October) took us through many comparisons, but all-in-all the two novels focus on the ever paradoxical theme of 'the kindness of strangers'.