Literature Forum

The first Nordic-Baltic Literature Forum, entitled 'National Literature in the 21st Century: Insights and Perspectives' was held in 2013. The success of the first forum encouraged us to continue next year, again as part of Tallinn Book Fair and in association with the Estonian Children's Literature Centre. Going by the title 'Who cares who reads?', the event was based around the theme of children's literature and included the Nordic Council Children and Young People's Literature Prize, which was presented for the first time in 2013. Sharing their experiences and stories at the forum were children's authors, illustrators, literary experts and library specialists from all of the Nordic countries and Baltic States, including the first ever winners of the Nordic Council Children and Young People's Literature Prize, author Seita Vuorela and illustrator Jani Ikonen (Finland).

Tallinn Book Fair was opened for the third time by the Nordic-Baltic literature forum in 2015.  This year the focus was on the darker side of writing – a.k.a. Nordic Noir – and the authors responsible for it. The gloomy theme attracted about 150 people to the forum.

Minority and refugee literature is part of the rich literary heritage of the Nordic countries. Reading the works of minority and refugee writers helps people to better understand other cultures and people and also develop an understanding of themselves. As such, 'Literature Across Cultures' was a highly relevant topic for the fourth Nordic-Baltic literature forum in spring 2016.

Visit our picture gallery to view photos taken at the forums.

Media coverage of the forums

  • Õpetajate Leht: Nordic Noir dissected crime fiction (interview with Eha Vain, in Estonian)
  • Kultuur.err.ee: Tallinn Book Fair to open tomorrow (in Estonian)
  • News.err.ee: Nordic crime writers kick off Tallinn Book Fair
  • Õpetajate Leht: Tallinn Book Fair to hold workshops for children and teachers (in Estonian)
  • Terevisioon & kultuur.err.ee: Jaan Martinson: Nordic crime writers write about realistic things (in Estonian)
  • Bublik.delfi.ee: Tallinn Book Fair invites fans to meet famous authors (in Russian)
  • Kultuur.postimees.ee: Gallery: Tallinn Book Fair – extensive book sales and meetings with well-known authors (in Estonian)
  • Vikerraadio news item featuring Eha Vain (in Estonian)
  • Aktuaalne Kaamera & kultuur.err.ee: Literature forum in Tallinn investigates Nordic crime writing (in Estonian)
  • Õhtuleht: "There's criminality galore in Tammsaare!" (in Estonian)
  • 'Eha Vain: 'Children's literature – far more than just a frivolous diversion' (Raamat supplement, Postimees newspaper, 20 February)
  • Postimees Tallinn City portal: Tallinn Book Fair to focus on reading and children
  • Õpetajate Leht newspaper: Tallinn Book Fair to feature teachers and children's literature
  • Postimees Online press releases: Book Fair draws book lovers to National Library
  • Radio Kuku: What is the current state and future of Estonian children's literature?
  • Vikerraadio reporter's hour
  • Kultuur.err.ee: First day of Tallinn Book Fair
  • Terevisioon breakfast TV programme (ERR): What and how much are young people reading?
  • Kultuur.err.ee: What and how much are young people reading?
  • Kultuur.err.ee: Children's authors have forgotten pre-teens and primary students
  • ERR radio news: Children's books are unevenly divided
  • Vikerradio evening news programme (spokespersons Kaidi Urmet, Seita Vuorela, Jani Ikonen)
  • Radio 4: Details 1 (in Russian – interview with Eha Vain, 3 April)
  • TV3 7 o'clock news: Children aged 10-13 read the least
  • Tallinn TV: More than 30 publishing houses to promote new literature over three days at Tallinn Book Fair
  • Õpetajate Leht newspaper: Bibliotheraphy and reading dog
  • Sirp: Overview of Literature Forum
  • Sirp: Speakers at the Nordic-Baltic Literary Forum 'National Literature in the 21st Century: Insights and Perspectives' answer two questions: trends and viability of national literature in the Nordic-Baltic region
  • Õpetajate Leht: The school library – a place of learning or a place of recreation?
  • Õpetajate Leht: Read, reeeeead! 

Contact

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Andra Heinat

adviser

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