“Nordic literature in Lithuania has a solid fan base. Due to this, Lithuanian publishing houses follow the Nordic literature market closely and bring to the readers truly valuable Nordic writers’ books. This year Vilnius Book Fair is a great example of that”, says Brigita Urmanaitė, Adviser for culture and education at the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania.
She also mentions that book fairs start this year symbolic coincides with another important event for the Nordic countries’ literature. On 24th February Nordic Council will announce the list of the nominees for the 2022 Nordic Council Literature Prize. This Prize is awarded for a work of literature written in one of the languages of the Nordic countries.
While the winners of Nordic Literature Prize are is still unknown, on the second and third day of Vilnius Book Fair Nordic literature lovers should not miss these five noteworthy book presentations and discussions.
Hallgrimur Helgason (Iceland), presentation of „Sixty Kilos of Sunshine”, on 26th February, at 1 pm
Let’s meet a famous Icelandic author, a bestseller of „Woman at 1000°”, Iceland’s Literary Prize recipient Hallgrimur Helgason. We will be introduced to his novel „Sixty Kilos of Sunshine”, published in 2021 . The novel is about Iceland at the turn of the 20th century when the country was one of the poorest country in Europe.
Andri Snaer Magnason (Iceland), online meeting „Will dystopian literature of young adult will save the world?”, on 25 th February, at 11 am.
Andri Snaer Magnason is Icelandic children’s author, recipient of many prestigious awards, his books are translated into 30 different languages. Last year in Lithuania his book „The Time Casket” was published.
The author himself is particularly interested in environmental and climate change issues. Interestingly enough the author was a candidate in the 2016 Icelandic presidential election.
Kim Leine (Denmark), presentation of “Red man/Black man”, on 26 th Febraury, at 1 pm.
Danish-Norwegian writer who writes about Greenland will present his new book”Red man/ Black man”. At the center of the book is the start of colonization of Greenland. It is important to mention that the writer won Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2013 for his novel “The Prophets of Eternal Fjord”.
Maria Turtschaninoff (Finland), presentation of „Maresi, The Red Abbey Chronicles”, on 25th February, at 7 pm.
Maria Turtschaninoff – Swedish-speaking Finnish writer, who has won the YLE Literature Prize, and twice „Svenska litteratursällskapet” Prize. In 2017 she was nominated for Astrid Lindgren award and „CILIP Carnegie” medal.
„Maresi” is the first book in the „Red Abbey Chronicles.” It was translated into 24 different languages.
A few years ago, this book was presented and read in an annual Nordic countries literature week in the readings for children and youth. These readings happen every year in November in the Nordic and Baltic countries.
Ulf Peter Hallberg (Sweden), autograph signing at the publisher „Apostrofa “ stand on 26 th February, at 5 pm.
Author of the hugely successful essay novel „European Trash: Fourteen Ways to Remember a Father” will be giving out autographs to his fans at the fair.
