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.
Meet our invited authors
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.
Learn more about the writers joining us at LIWRE 2026: 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.
Programme
The order of speakers may change. We reserve the right to make alterations to the programme.
Discussion Sessions 12-13 June
Friday and Saturday at 10–12 and 13–15 Venue: Opiston Kunkku, Harjukatu 46 Keynotes and discussions are interpreted simultaneously into Finnish and English.
- Chairs: Riina Katajavuori and Mila Teräs
- The linked presentations are available in Finnish and English (see below).
- Friday morning session speakers: Elaf Ali, Inga Pizāne, Riina Tanskanen
- Elaf Ali: Ali_Elaf_alustus_su + Ali_Elaf_alustus_en
- Inga Pizāne: Pizane_Inga_alustus_su + Pizane_Inga_alustus_en
- Riina Tanskanen: Tanskanen_Riina_alustus_su + Tanskanen_Riina_alustus_en
- Friday afternoon session speakers: Peter Dyreborg, Silja Järventausta, Kai Aareleid, Marius Burokas
- Peter Dyreborg Dyreborg_Peter_alustus_su+en,
- Silja Järventausta Järventausta_Silja_alustus_su + Järventausta_Silja_alustus_en
- Kai Aareleid Aareleid_Kai_alustus_su + Aareleid_Kai_alustus_en
- Marius Burokas Burokas_Marius_alustus_su + Burokas_Marius_alustus_en
- Saturday morning: Simone Buchholz, Mia Franck, Martin Högstrand, Siri Kolu
- Simone Buchholz Buchholz_Simene_alustus_su + Buchholz_Simone_presentation_en
- Mia Franck Franck_Mia_alustus_su + Franck_Mia_presentation_en
- Martin Högstrand Högstrand_Martin_alustus_su + Högstrand_Martin_presentation_en
- Siri Kolu Kolu_Siri_alustus_edit + Kolu_Siri_presentation_en
- Saturday afternoon: Małgorzata Lebda, E. L. Karhu, Olga Engfelt, Viktor Jerofejev
- Małgorzata Lebda Lebda_Malgorzata_alustus_su + Lebda_Malgorzata_presentation_en
- E. L. Karhu Karhu_E.L._alustus_su + Karhu_E.L._presentation_en
- Olga Engfelt Engfelt_Olga_alustus_su + Engfelt_Olga_presentation_en
- Viktor Jerofejev Jerofejev_Viktor_alustus_su + Jerofejev_Viktor_presentation_en
Prose Matinee 12 June
Friday at 16, after the discussion sessions
- Venue: Theatre Vanha Juko, Rautatienkatu 13
- Duration 90 minutes
- Invited guests read excerpts from their works in their own languages.
- Hosts: Nana Arjopalo and Saara Pääkkönen
- Performers: Ali, Jerofejev, Karhu, Engfelt, Buchholz, Kolu, Franck, Teräs
Open Mic 12 June
Friday at 20 (duration approx. 90 min)
- Venue: Restaurant Tirra, Loviisankatu 8. Please note that the venue is not accessible.
- Hosted by Harri Hertell, poet, spoken word artist, cultural producer (AMK) and DJ.
- Practical participation instructions will be provided to interested performers during Friday’s discussion sessions and on site before the event begins.
International Poetry Evening 13 June
Saturday at 17.30, at the close of the Reunion Venue: Theatre Vanha Juko, Rautatienkatu 13
- Our guests read their poems in the original language, with translations available simultaneously.
- Hosted by Siri Kolu
- Performers: Aareleid, Burokas, Dyreborg, Högstrand, Järventausta, Katajavuosi, Pizāne, Tanskanen, Lebda
Support
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.
Participation and Contact
As the accreditation period has ended, we kindly ask you to contact us directly by email. If you wish to participate, please get in touch with us at paasihteeri@liwre.fi to complete your accreditation. We will guide you through sending your details.
Warmly welcome!
Please note: the programme will be finalised closer to the event.