Baltics Cultural Programme Writers revealed for LBF

The British Council, in partnership with the London Book Fair, the Estonian Literature Centre, Writers’ and Translators’ House, Latvia and the Lithuanian Culture Institute, announced the Baltic Countries Market Focus Cultural Programme for The London Book Fair 2018, taking place from April 10–12, 2018.

This year’s author delegation brings twelve prominent and engaging writers from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, representing the very best of contemporary literature. The London Book Fair Cultural Programme will give a rare opportunity to meet and hear from Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian writers, who will be in discussion with counterpart UK authors in front of an international literary audience.

The delegation includes Authors of the Day: Writer and columnist Mihkel Mutt, one of the most provocative Estonian authors. He has published close to 40 books in genres as diverse as novels, memoirs and children’s books. Another author includes Nora Ikstena, one of the most influential prose writers and essayists in Latvia. Her book Soviet Milk comes out in the UK in March 2018 with Peirene Press. While, writer and art historian Kristina Sabaliauskaite, the most widely read contemporary Lithuanian author, will also be present. Her Silva Rerum Saga is considered to be the most important Lithuanian literary event of the last decade.

The delegation will be complete by Maarja Kangro, Andrei Ivanov and Rein Raud from Estonia; Karlis Verdinš, Luize Pastore and Inga Abele from Latvia; Tomas Venclova, Undine Radzevi?iute and Alvydas Šlepikas from Lithuania. Together they represent a wide variety of literary genres, including: poetry, children’s literature, playwriting, reportage and prose.

The Cultural Programme will include events at the British Library and the National Poetry Library where readers can meet writers and take part in discussions.