UAF showcases Ukraine at Helsinki Book Fair

The Ukrainian Association in Finland (UAF) represented Ukraine for the third time at the Helsinki Book Fair, one of the largest book fairs in the Nordic region that is held from Oct. 23 to 26.

The UAF program aimed to showcase “contemporary Ukrainian literature, its place in the global context, and Ukraine’s vibrant, multifaceted culture,” said the organization’s head, Vasyl Hutsul.

Over the course of four days, events at the Ukrainian booth and across the fair’s halls covered literature, history, art, and cuisine.

Highlights included a discussion on the importance of translating Ukrainian authors, a panel on Russian imperial policies, a presentation of the graphic novel “A Short History of a Long War,” and a culinary event that celebrated the traditions and flavors of Galicia located in western Ukraine.

Outside the fair, a conversation titled “Ukrainian Literature in Translation” featured writer Sofia Andrukhovych and translator Anna Vovchenko.

“The Ukrainian booth was the only one dedicated exclusively to Ukrainian books — in Ukrainian, Finnish, and English. For many visitors, it was a revelation: some Finnish attendees even admitted they buy books in Ukrainian to help learn the language,” Hutsul said.

The program was organized by the UAF in collaboration with the Embassy of Ukraine in Finland, the Ukrainian Book Institute, the Ukrainian Institute, TAMMI, SKTL, and PEN Ukraine.