The Swedish Literature Society (Svenska litteratursällskapet, SLS) has awarded FILI a grant of €250,000 to promote the international visibility of Finnish literature, and Finland-Swedish literature in particular, and to develop literary export over the next five years.
“Developing the export of Finland-Swedish literature supports the strategic objectives of the SLS. We hope to see Finland-Swedish literature become increasingly visible both in Finland and internationally,” says SLS Head of Publishing Patricia Berg.
FILI is part of the Finnish Literature Society (Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura, SKS), which has supported literary export for nearly 50 years.
“FILI’s extensive networks and long-term work open doors for Finnish books around the world. We are thrilled that the Swedish Literature Society is joining in funding literary export and its development,” shares Kati Mikkola, Secretary General of the SKS.
FILI’s core funding comes from the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.
Success abroad also boosts visibility at home
The publishing sector has also begun to support the international visibility of Finnish literature more actively, for example at the world’s largest book industry event, the Frankfurt Book Fair. On behalf of publishers, FILI now oversees the visibility of Finnish literature at the Finland stand in Frankfurt, funded by the Finnish Publishers Association (Suomen Kustannusyhdistys).
Publishing authors’ successful works in other languages is also important for domestic publishers.
“Access to international markets is important for both authors and their Finnish publishers. At its best, an author’s success abroad also increases visibility at home,” says Eva Reenpää, Chair of the Board of the Finnish Publishers Association and Managing Director of Otava.
FILI Director Tiia Strandén notes that literary export has in recent years been systematically developed in collaboration with the entire book sector.
“This kind of diverse, even privately funded initiative shows how strongly committed the literary sector is to the continued growth of literary export. The aim is to expand the global reach of Finland’s rich and diverse literature, one language territory or focus country at a time, and to further broaden the visibility of translated works in different countries. Achieving this requires the entire literary field, from authors, publishers and translators to literary agents and funders; together, it is possible,” Strandén continues.
The goal is to steadily increase the international visibility of Finnish literature and bring literary export revenues closer to those of the other Nordic countries. According to 2024 statistics, the combined literary export of the Nordic countries totalled €78.5 million, with over 70% generated by Sweden. Finland ranked fourth in the statistics, with export revenues totaling €3.3 million.
Among the most notable recent successes on the international stage are Satu Rämö’s Hildur crime novels, which have appeared multiple times on international bestseller lists and sold over 1.4 million copies worldwide; Maria Turtschaninoff’s novel Tangled Roots (Arvejord), sold to nearly 30 language territories; and Iida Turpeinen’s novel Beasts of the Sea (Elolliset), whose many published translations have gained significant visibility, including in the highly competitive US book market.
“We want to make more international success stories like these,” says Strandén.
For more information: Tiia Strandén, , tel. 040 5820 975