The literature written in the languages of the Nordic region of Northern Europe is referred to as Scandinavian or Nordic literature. While the Nordic countries also include Finland, Iceland, and the linked autonomous regions of Scandinavia (Åland, Faroe Islands, and Greenland), Scandinavia is connected with Denmark, Norway (including Svalbard), and Sweden. These countries and areas speak North Germanic languages for the most part. Despite the fact that the majority of Finns speak a Uralic language, the history and literature of Finland are inextricably linked to those of Sweden and Norway, two countries that have shared sovereignty over several regions and have sizable Sami populations and influences. These countries have produced a significant body of work of writing: for example, Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, whose plays include “The Wild Duck” and “A Doll’s House”, made contemporary realistic drama popular throughout Europe. Furthermore, a few Nordic authors, including Selma Lagerlöf, Halldór Laxness, and recently Jon Fosse, have been assigned the ‘Nobel Prize in Literature‘, which is a Scandinavian honor. Despite their close cultural ties, the Scandinavian literatures display differences that are indicative of unique national institutions as well as historical and geographical circumstances. As a result, they are discussed separately under the headings of Danish literature, Faroese literature, Icelandic literature, Norwegian literature, Swedish literature, and Finnish literature, which includes works written both in Finnish and Swedish-language works written in Finland.
