Shahrazad - Stories for life

Musa Mutaev, former ICORN Guest Writer in Trondheim from 2004-2007, has published a Norwegian version of his novel, called in English Medal of Honour.  The book is available from Communicatio and was translated from the Russian by Alf B. Glad. The novel has already received critical acclaim in the Norwegian media.

 Medal of Honour recounts the horror of Russia's attempt to ethnically cleanse Chechnya during World War II. Josef Stalin, afraid that they might collaborate with Germany, deported thousands of Chechens in 1944 to the steppes of Kazakhstan. The first villagers were able to return only in 1957 after over a decade of hardships and tragedy. Medal of Honour follows one village's journey, from deportation to an eventual return to their homeland.

Easterine Kire Iralu, ICORN's Guest Writer in Tromsø from 2005-2007, has been very prolific during her time in Norway, publishing several volumes of poetry and handful of novels. Easterine's latest English language book, Bitter Wormwood, published by Zubaan Books, reveals the struggles for independence that her homeland, that of the Naga people, has experienced over the last 70 years. Iralu unfolds the history through events in one man's life.