Hannu Raittila (b. 1956) is a Finnish writer living in Mikkeli, who has written four powerful collections of short stories (since 1993). His first novel, Ei minulta mitään puutu (1998, "I lack nothing") was a candidate for the Finlandia Prize and was awarded the Olvi Prize for literature. His second novel Canal Grande is due to appear in August 2001. Raittila has also written a large number of television scripts, plays for stage and for radio, which have been translated into Swedish, German and English.

Photo: Pertti Nisonen