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Lahden kansainvälinen kirjailijakokous

Programme LIWRE 2026

Lahti International Writers’ Reunion brings a distinguished selection of international and Finnish literary voices to meet the public in Lahti. Held every two years, the Reunion welcomes writers especially from the Baltic Sea region. Confirmed international guests include poet Inga Pizāne (Latvia), poet and prose writer Kai Aareleid (Estonia), poet Marius Burokas (Lithuania), prose writer Viktor Jerofejev (Russian-born, currently based in Berlin), crime novelist Simone Buchholtz (Germany), poet Małgorzata Lebda (Poland), Peter Dyreborg (Denmark) and writer and journalist Elaf Ali (Sweden). Finnish writers participating are Mia Franck, Åland-based Martin Högstrand, poet Silja Järventausta, playwright and dramaturg E.L. Karhu, and writer, visual artist and social commentator Riina Tanskanen.

LIWRE, Lahti International Writers’ Reunion, will bring a distinguished group of international and Finnish literary voices to Lahti on 12–13 June 2026 to meet the public. Held every two years, the Reunion turns its gaze this time towards the Baltic Sea region.

Our guests include writers from across the Baltic cultural sphere, whose shared history resonates strongly in today’s turbulent geopolitical climate, also within the field of culture.

Meet our invited authors: Guest Writers

The theme of this year’s Writers’ Reunion is Words for a Reason.

The Lahti International Writers’ Reunion is a free two-day event for the public, featuring interpreted keynote talks and discussions, accompanied by a programme of international poetry readings, a prose matinee, and an Open Mic event. The Reunion is now being held for the 32nd time.

  • Discussion sessions: Friday 10–12 and 13–15, and Saturday 10–12 and 13–15. Keynotes and discussions are interpreted simultaneously. (Opiston Kunkku, Harjukatu 46)
  • Prose matinee: Friday at 4 p.m. after the discussion sessions; invited guests read excerpts from their works in their own languages. (Teatteri Vanha Juko, Rautatienkatu 13)
  • Open Mic: Friday evening at 8 p.m.; the microphone is open to invited guests, other participants and members of the audience. (Tirra, Loviisankatu 8, Please note that the venue is not accessible)
  • International Poetry Evening: Saturday at the close of the Reunion at 5.30 p.m.; our guests read their poems in the original language, with translations available simultaneously. (Teatteri Vanha Juko)

This event has been made possible with the generous support of the City of Lahti (Lahden kaupunki), the Finnish Arts and Culture Agency (Taide- ja kulttuurivirasto, Kuvi), and the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland (Svenska Kulturfonden), as well as the Finnish Writers’ Union (Suomen Kirjailijaliitto ry), the WSOY Literary Foundation (WSOY:n Kirjallisuussäätiö), the Literature and Culture Association Särö (Kirjallisuus- ja kulttuuriyhdistys Särö ry), and Into Kustannus Oy.

The accreditation will remain open until 14 May 2026. Link: https://www.liwre.fi/en/accreditation-liwre-2026/

Warmly welcome!

Please note: the programme will be finalised closer to the event.

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