Helsinki Book Fair begins bigger than ever - focus on culture
|
|
|
The fifth Helsinki Book Fair, which began today, Thursday, is to be bigger than ever, with 730 authors and other performers appearing in 550 different programme events.
The theme of the four-day fair is "Culture Was Here". Commenting on the theme are a number of people from a supermodel to a professor, to a government minister, to a detective story writer.
Book publishers are trying to entice the public with new volumes, which they are marketing on a number of stages set up in the Helsinki Fair Centre.
Religion and philosophy appear to be hot topics for books this season. Kirjastudio ("Book Studio"), a publishing company established in November last year, will be exhibiting a number of biographies and books on philosophical topics.
Rukouksen valaisema tie ("A Road Illuminated by Prayer"), by Orthodox nun Kristokul, was recently taken into the finals in the Christian Book of the Year competition for 2005. The winner will be announced at the book fair on Sunday.
Kirjastudio managing director Kai Airinen is satisfied with the company’s first year of operations, during which it has released 25 new titles.
According to Airinen, the company, a subsidiary of the larger F-Kustannus, was set up "out of love for the business, even though it might sound like a cliché".
Airinen emphasises that Kirjastudio is by no means specialised in religious literature alone.
"Life skills sell. People are looking for a counterbalance to their hard everyday lives. Some get it from entertainment, and others find their balance in good books."
The Helsinki Book Fair covers an area of 4,711 square metres at the Helsinki Fair Centre.
Author Anja Snellman, the chairwoman of the programme committee, hopes that the number of visitors this year will exceed last year’s 43,000.
A total of 35 foreign guests will make appearances at the event, ranging from British author Ruth Rendell to Russian historian Edvard Radzinski.
A free party for book fans will be held at Helsinki’s Old Student House on Friday evening. The event will include a performance by Annikki Tähti.
Friday afternoon is to be dedicated to poetry, Saturday will focus on detective stories, and Sunday’s themes will be science fiction and Christian books.
An auction of used books is to be held on Saturday.
Helsingin Sanomat
|
| 27.10.2005 - TODAY |
 Helsinki Book Fair begins bigger than ever - focus on culture
|
|
