Lithuania has been one of the most active participants in Nordic Literature Week for many years. Each year, more than 600 educational and cultural institutions across the country – including libraries, schools and kindergartens – take part by hosting readings.

Democracy in the Nordic region

The theme for Nordic Literature Week 2026 is Democracy in the Nordic Region. Against a backdrop of news and a global situation marked by war, political unrest, polarization, and censorship, we have chosen a theme that promotes freedom, equality, and justice.

The word „democracy” comes from Greek and means „rule by the people”. In democratic countries, the people help shape decisions and exercise influence through elections – of all kinds. Democracy also entails respect fro democratic rights. These rights include, among other things: freedom of speech; freedom of religion and belief; freedom of conviction; and equality.

The Nordic-Baltic region is the most democratic region in the world. We are protected by the law and place our trust in one another and in those who govern. We are free to believe or not to believe, and to choose whether to attend a church, synagogue, mosque, or temple. We can speak our minds openly and read whatever books we wish.

We must never take this for granted.

Literature and democracy

Nordic Literature Week will explore Nordic democracy through literature that addresses the theme of democracy in various ways. The selected books shed light on what is at stake and highlight the importance of dialogue and tolerance in a diverse society that makes room for everyone. We hope this year’s literature week will serve as a platform for discussing and exploring how we can collectively safeguard – and strenghten – Nordic democracy.

Morning dawn children

The featured read-aloud book for Morgengry – the reading session for children – is the Dansih children’s book Hvem bestemmer noget? (2023) by Jesper Wung-Sung, illustrated by the Finnish artist Jenny Lucander.

Morning dawn young

The featured read-aloud book for Morgengry Unge – the reading session for young adults – is the Finnish-Norwegian novel Kepler 62: Kutsu (2015) by Timo Parvela and Bjørn Sortland, with illustrations by Pasi Pitkänen.

Evening dusk

The featured read-aloud book for Skumringstimen is the Swedish novel De kommer att drunkna i sina mödrars tårar (They will drown in their mothers’ tears) (2017) by Johannes Anyuru.

About Nordic Literature Week

The project is managed by The Confederation of Nordic Associations, an NGO that works for Nordic co-operation, and financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers, with the aim of promoting reading, keeping the traditions of reading aloud and storytelling alive, and introducing audiences to Nordic literature.

Throughout the week, thousands of libraries, schools and cultural institutions across the Nordic and Baltic countries host readings, exhibitions, discussions and other cultural events. As in previous years, the readings are expected to bring together more than 200,000 people across the region.