Background and history

Some of the participated writers

Previous reunions in a nutshell

Discussions 2001

History of the reunion
Since 1963

The Lahti International Writer's Reunion is one of the major literary events in Europe. Ever since 1963, over 1,000 prose writers, poets, literary critics and scholars from all over the world have found their way to Lahti to take part in the writer's reunion every other year. Just before midsummer, on the third week of the month of june, we all gather to Lahti to talk, listen, debate, and spend some time together under the oak trees of the Mukkula manor.
    The themes of the reunion reflect the major literary topics of the times. In the course years, these themes have ranged from myths to the role of the writer, from morality to ethics, from power to the crisis of seriousness, from prejudice to national identity, from the writer's time to the writer's masks; or from a firm belief in literature to a serious doubt of it's value, or from the concrete to the abstract. Whatever the theme, what literature really is has been the central question- though never forgetting talk for the pure pleasure of talking.
    The writers first meet in Helsinki, where we board a coach to Lahti, which is located some 100 kilometres to the north of the capital. (In addition to the writer's reunion, many people might know Lahti for it's internationally famous symphony orchestra or for it's winter sports events.) The reunion in Lahti consists of three full work days: there are discussions in the form of panels and small groups, as well as nights of poetry reading. All keynote speeches and some of the introductory speeches for group sessions are requested in writing, but otherwise the discussion is completely free. And as often happens, the most important and intense exchanges take place during meals or in the sauna, washed down by wine or beer. The informal programme also includes a visit to the Lahti city centre, a football match and a dance on the last night. All panel discussions and poetry readings are also open to the general public.