Mayu Saaritsa

Juhani Lindholm

Juhani Lindholm (b. 1951). Literary translator, president of the Eino Leino Society, Event Manager of the Lahti International Writers’ Reunion, has translated e.g. Shakespeare, Ian McEwan, Michael Ondaatje, Daniel Defoe, Emily Brontë, Frank McCourt, Herman Melville, Paul Bowles, David Foster Wallace – and Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon.

He has been awarded the State Art Prize in Literature for his work as a translator, the Finnish J.A. Hollo Prize for his translation of Bengt Jangfeldt’s biography of Mayakovsky from Swedish, the Agricola Prize for his translation of Gravity’s Rainbow, and the Pro Finlandia Medal in 2015.

Chia Koskinen

Chia Koskinen has a rich history with LIWRE, having served as the press officer in 2013 and 2015, followed by her role as an assistant secretary. She finds inspiration during long walks in the forest and by the seaside, accompanied by her dogs and family. By day, she’s a project professional and service designer at KOVAMENO coop.

In January 2022, Chia Koskinen was honored to be nominated as the general secretary of the Lahti International Writers’ Reunion. Now, in 2024, she’s leading her second LIWRE meeting. Her passion for literature and commitment to fostering connections make her an invaluable part of our team.

Laura Lahdensuu

Laura Lahdensuu (b. 1968) lives and works in Helsinki. She translates literature from Italian, English and Latin. She has received the Premio Flaiano (italianistica) in 2011 for her translation of Quer pasticciaccio brutto de Via Merulana by Carlo Emilio Gadda and is currently working on a translation of Ludovico Ariosto’s Orlando furioso. Laura uses her spare time trying to keep the bichon bolognese Apollo free of worries and tangles.

Reetta Ravi

Reetta Ravi is the press officer of the International Writers’ Reunion. She has been participating in the Reunions since 2001, first as a cultural journalist of the Finnish News Agency (Suomen tietotoimisto, STT) and in recent years as the press officer of the
publishing house Siltala.

Nana Arjopalo

Nana Arjopalo is employed as a university instructor of English, and as a team leader of English and intercultural communication. She has experience in translating both fiction and non-fiction texts. Nana holds a doctoral degree in English, with her research centered on the literary double in Bengali American contemporary fiction, reflecting her interest in postcolonial literature. In her free time, you can often find Nana at an ashtanga yoga studio, at the cinema, or at the theater.

Harri Hertell

Harri Hertell is a Helsinki-based Finnish poet, cultural manager, DJ, and organizer of poetry events. He has published seven books of poetry, a non-fiction book about stage poetry, and four spoken word -recordings. His first poetry book for children will be published in 2022. His poems have been translated into several languages, and he has performed in many European countries. He also works as a stage poetry instructor.

Minna Juhala

Minna Juhala is a Helsinki-based major consumer of culture with a particular passion for literature and dance. In the summertime her favorite past-time is gardening in her family’s summer house in Nokia. During her career she has worked in  banks and media companies.

Elia Lennes

Elia Lennes is a publishing professional from Helsinki who has participated in the Lahti Writers’ Reunion numerous times – always with great enthusiasm!

Saara Pääkkönen

Saara Pääkkönen is a literary translator and editor of translated fiction. She acted as LIWRE’s International Secretary in the 2013 and 2015 reunions. In addition to her work as a translator, Saara is studying to become a classical singing teacher, and she devotes her spare time to music and theatre.

Mayu Saaritsa

Mayu Saaritsa (b. 1986) translates from Japanese to Finnish. She has translated poems, novels, graphic novels and children’s literature. She has also collaborated in producing poetry events and promoted Finnish-Japanese literary exchange. She studied in Japan 2008–2013 and graduated majoring in Japanese literature.

Anni Korppinen

Anni Korppinen is a tourism intern from Koulutuskeskus Salpaus and performs a marketing competence demonstration during the event. Anni is interested in crafts and literature and spends a lot of her free time among them.