Helsinki Book Fair, Estonia to Take Centre Stage Finished

Contact info: Eha Vain (eha.vain@norden.ee)

An unusually broad range of Estonian literature, culture, science and art will be presented at the Helsinki Book Fair at the end of October. The main focus will be on contemporary literature, topical historical and societal themes. Estonia will be the Fair’s theme country.

The Book Fair will play host to nearly fifty eminent figures from various fields, beginning with Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia. Numerous authors will also attend, including leading lights in contemporary literature, the heavyweights of the Estonian intelligentsia, bestselling authors and performers. In Finland, this year could be termed the year of Estonian literature. The spring and autumn will see a record amount of Estonian literature, totalling over twenty works, published in Finnish.

In addition to writers, several ministers, diplomats and politicians, many of whom are also writers, will be heard at the Book Fair. In seminars, leading experts and scientists in various fields will discuss history and literature, among other issues.

The Nordic Institute in Finland, Nifin presents during the book fair: ‘Estonia and the Nordic Countries’. Eeva Park and Marianne Peltomaa discuss on the position of literature in the society and the expectations arising from it in Estonia and in the Nordic countries.

Find out more about the book fair at the event’s website.

The theme country programme is being organised by the Estonian Ministry of Culture, the Estonian Writers’ Union, the Estonian Publishers’ Association and the Estonian Literature Centre.

The Helsinki Book Fair will be held between 27.–30.10.2011 at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre.