This year’s Helsinki Book Fair had its first ever country theme. The focus was on British literature. This was first negotiated with the Fair organisers nearly three years ago by British Council Arts Manager for Finland, Kirsi Korhonen. The result was a full and diverse programme of authors and speakers, interviews, discussions and a large British Council stand. The Magic Pencil exhibition on children’s book illustration was on display in the children’s area.
Marina Lewycka and Dan Rhodes Shakespeare reading in Finnish British Council team at the Fair
The Book Fair, unlike the cold, wet, weather outside the exhibition centre, was warm, bustling and inviting. The Fair welcomed over 69,000 visitors through its doors, approximately 29,000 more than last year.
In the midst of the publishers, bookshops and coffee stands was the luminous pink of the British Council stand. Its welcoming white sofas offered a space for the public to read the British Council materials on offer; listen to audio poems and browse the shelves of books, in Finnish and English, by the British authors speaking at the Fair.
The writers, well-fed on reindeer and cloudberry desserts were eager to address their respective audiences on crime writing, illustration, and contemporary UK literature. After each session a flurry of people would assemble at the British Council stand to gather up booklets and ask questions about the writers.
The four-day programme of UK authors was attended by thousands of visitors. The prolific illustrator Tony Ross started the programme with a session in front of a delighted audience of children and adults. He talked about his work and the art of illustration, answering questions while simultaneously drawing some of his famous characters for the audience.
The American author, David Bodanis, who is based in the UK, talked about popular science writing; Louisa Daffue-Karsten chaired a panel discussion on the growing popularity of reading groups; Dan Rhodes, author of , was interviewed in front of an audience and assured us his future novels will no longer be about lost love now he is happily attached.
There was a running poetry session with British poets John Burnside, W. N. Herbert and Meg Bateman at the British Council stand. Judy Elliott from British Council Scotland later talked to John Burnside about his childhood in 1950's Scotland, as depicted in his seering memoir, published to great critical acclaim earlier this year.
The ‘Wicked Issues’ debate series was successfully transferred from its original home of the London Book Fair to an eager and interested audience in Helsinki. The first of the sessions was on ‘National Literatures’ with author of , Marina Lewycka, Iris Schwank and was chaired by Edinburgh International Book Fair organiser, Catherine Lockerbie. This debate was followed by one on literary prizes chaired by British Council Literature Director, Susie Nicklin; the panel consisted of Orange Prize organiser, Kate Mosse, writer Lionel Shriver and Finnish writer Touko Siltala.
Perhaps the most evocative of the ‘Wicked Issues’ series was ‘Free Expression is No Offence’ with chair Susie Nicklin, author Hari Kunzru and Russian film director, Andrei Nekrasov. The debate moved on from the right to free expression to the need for impunity for those who speak out freely; this argument was poignantly augmented by the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya who wrote for the liberal newspaper , often speaking out against the Chechen wars and President Putin.
The ‘Shakespeare Now’ session was a lively discussion with Professor Stanley Wells, one of Britain’s foremost scholars on the works of Shakespeare, Finnish theatre director Ralf Långbacka and Kersti Juva.
The Scandinavian love of crime writing was sated with two sessions on the genre;on ‘Crime Writing Saturday’. Joolz Denby and Finnish author Outi Pakkanen discussed the role of the woman in crime fiction. Denby noting the sophistication of the female murderer in fiction usually described as a domestic poisoner rather than user of brute force. Later the same day British crime writer Stephen Booth discussed his books and whether crime writers could be champions of cultural diversity.
Former Bishop of Edinburgh, Richard Holloway, gave an illuminating and honest interview that prompted many in the direction of the bookshop to read more about his inspiring attitude to life, religion, fear and doubt.
Both Sarah Waters and Marina Lewycka’s interviews drew huge crowds, which meant there was standing room only for the majority of the audience. An excited public asked Sarah Waters about and her role in bringing lesbian literature into the mainstream. Marina Lewycka’s audience were left smiling and giggling by her open and funny account of discovering her long lost Ukrainian relatives. Asked if her father had really written a book about tractors in Ukrainian, the answer was ‘yes’.
Audience for Sarah Waters' session
More pictures from the Helsinki Book Fair
By Kristina Hedderly
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