LittFest turns 25: Monika Fagerholm, Kjell Westö and many of literature’s leading names head to Vaasa this November

To mark the festival’s anniversary, the opening event will feature one of the most significant guests in LittFest’s history: Monika Fagerholm, one of the Nordic region’s most acclaimed contemporary authors. She was also a guest at the festival’s inaugural event in 2001 and served as LittFest’s Artistic Director from 2010 to 2011. In her talk at Vaasa City Hall on 12 November, Fagerholm will reflect on her work, literary career, and writing, and offer insights into what writing means to her, as well as the ideas and inspirations behind her books.

A wide range of well-known names from the Finnish literary scene will be appearing at the festival, including Kjell Westö, Sirpa Kähkönen, Kirsti Manninen (Enni Mustonen), Olli Jalonen, Ivan Maniraho, Juhani Karila, Johanna Venho, Axel Åhman and Ville Mäkipelto. Over the course of three days, the programme will explore reflections of the self, the other and society through literature, art, and conversation.

Encounters across the arts

Alongside literature, the programme also features inspiring encounters between different art forms. On Thursday 12 November actress Sari Siikander and author Johanna Venho will discuss courage in life and in art. The evening at Restaurant Kulma at Vaasa City Theatre concludes with Chaconne, a performance that weaves together poetry and early music.

On Friday 13 November, Vaasa City Hall will host a special concert featuring Helena Åhman, Professor of Practice, and rock legend Tommi Läntinen, who will perform together with the Vaasa City Orchestra. As part of Friday’s evening programme, Raskas Suomi (‘Heavy Finland’) will bring together authors and music experts for a discussion on the history and cultural significance of Finnish heavy metal. At the Draama Hall of the Main Library, Ari Elo, Jukka Kittilä, Juuso Määttänen and Marko Hautala will explore the place of heavy metal in Finnish culture. The evening continues with an open heavy metal karaoke event at restaurant Pataässä starting at 21.

Discussions at the Draama Hall in the Main Library

On Saturday 14 November, the programme will feature discussions on topics including the role of literature in society, the use of information to influence and manipulate, and questions of religion and worldview. Journalists and non-fiction writers Jessikka Aro and Erkka Mikkonen will discuss with Hanna Hietikko around noon, while Kjell Westö and Olli Jalonen will take the stage with Seppo Puttonen in the afternoon. Towards the end of the day, the discussion continues with non-fiction writer and theologian Ville Mäkipelto and journalist Tuomas Enbuske.

Also on Saturday, poetry will take centre stage in the Main Library’s Draama Hall. Juuli Niemi and Saila Susiluoto are among the nominees for the Tanssiva Karhu Prize, awarded to the year’s most compelling collection of poetry. The discussion will be moderated by Vesa Rantama.

In addition, on Friday 13 November, the Draama Hall will also host a discussion entitled Österbottnisk renässans (Ostrobothnian Renaissance). The coastal regions of Ostrobothnia have emerged as a powerful force in Swedish-language literature in recent years. Authors Ulrika Hansson, Axel Åhman, Ellen Strömberg and Ralf Andtbacka will explore the factors behind this literary phenomenon. The discussion is led by researcher Julia Tidigs.

Founded in 2001, Vaasa LittFest is a bilingual literary festival that brings readers and writers together, creating opportunities for meaningful encounters while shining a light on current themes and developments in Finnish and Nordic literature.

See the full programme: vaasa.fi/littfest