Ólafur Haukur Símonarson, born in Reykjavík, 1947, is a playwright and novelist living in Reykjavík, Iceland. Símonarson mainly writes for the stage and is one of the most respected and popular dramatists in Iceland. He is a very versatile writer having also written numerous novels, collations of short stories and poetry, children and youth books. His songs and lyrics for children have been released on records and CDs and are sung in every kindergarten in Iceland. Simonarson has mainly worked as full-time writer since 1974. He was director of the People’s Theatre in Reykjavík 1980-1982, Chairman of the Icelandic Dramatists´ Federation 1988-1999, Vice-Chairman of I.T.I.’s (International Theatre Institute) playwrights´ committee 1993-1998, and Simonarson has been on the board of the Icelandic Writers Union and the Society of Composers and Copyright owners since 1985. PRIZES AND NOMINATIONS: Nomination for the Nordic Councils Litterature Prize, 1975. The Reykjavík Educational Councils Prize for childrens books, 1983. Honorary award from the Writer´s Fund of Iceland, 1992. The DV Theatreprize for the best Play, 1993. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service Writer´s Prize, 1993. Nomination for the Nordic Playwright´s Prize, 1994. The Les Boréales du Normandie Litterature Prize for the Best Nordic Crime Novel, 1997
