Nordic Literature Days : Event Report
Nordic Literature Days: Exploring Children’s Books and Mysteries from the North
On August 30 (Saturday) and 31 (Sunday), the Nordic Pavilion hosted Nordic Literature Days, a two-day celebration of literature ranging from children’s books to crime fiction. The program, which highlighted the richness of Nordic literary culture, attracted full audiences on both days. Many attendees commented that the event changed the way they look at picture books and sparked a desire to read more Nordic mysteries.
Day 1: The World of Nordic Children’s Books
Opening and Keynote
The first day focused on The World of Nordic Children’s Books. Ida Heimann Larsen, Deputy Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange through literature.
In the keynote lecture, Professor Elina Druker of Stockholm University spoke on The Legacy of Astrid Lindgren and Tove Jansson. She explored how Nordic children’s literature, shaped by war and social challenges, portrays children not as “unfinished beings” but as individuals with full personhood. This respect for children, she argued, is central to Nordic culture, where complex social issues and the human condition are addressed head-on, even in works for young readers.
Dialogues on Writing for Children
A panel titled How to Write for Children? brought together Swedish author-illustrator Lisen Adbåge, Norwegian author-dancer Mariko Miyata-Jancey, and Swedish translator-author Akirako Hishiki. They discussed cultural differences and what makes a story resonate with young readers.
In another session, illustrators Jenni Lucander (Finland) and Emma Adbåge (Sweden) spoke on the role of visual storytelling, reflecting on how illustration became their language of expression as children.
Workshops and Readings
The afternoon featured a workshop by Emma and Lisen Adbåge, known for The Wound and Fulan, inviting participants of all ages to imagine “What would you like to be if there were no humans?” The session encouraged playful yet thought-provoking creativity.
A reading from Tove Jansson’s The Invisible Child followed, highlighting the healing power of kindness and community. Children’s laughter mingled with reflections on the deeper meanings of the Moomin tales.
Later, Mariko Miyata-Jancey presented a performance reading of her work Mieko Dances—a story about diversity and self-expression—combining music and dance in a way that captivated even those unfamiliar with the book.
Pop-Up Stage Collaborations
Outside the main hall, unique collaborations unfolded. Swedish author Aron Landahl’s Everyone Eats Everyone was read alongside live clarinet and tuba music, blending dark humor with sound. Meanwhile, Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking was performed in the traditional Japanese rōkyoku style, fusing Nordic literature with Japanese performance arts to resounding applause.
Day 2: The World of Nordic Mystery
Introduction to Nordic Noir
The second day turned to crime fiction with the theme The World of Nordic Mystery. Johanna Lindquist of the Swedish Embassy, herself an avid Nordic Noir fan, welcomed attendees and set the stage.
A panel titled What is Nordic Mystery? featured critic Matsukoi Sugie and Icelandic bestselling author Ragnar Jónasson, known for The Darkness and Snow Blind. They discussed how Nordic crime fiction combines dark atmospheres with sharp social critique, making it both regionally rooted and globally resonant.
Authors Across Borders
The program also introduced prominent authors: Swedish writer Tove Alsterdal, Japanese mystery master Arisu Arisugawa, Finnish novelist Leena Lehtolainen, Norwegian author Jørn Lier Horst, and Iceland’s Yrsa Sigurðardóttir. Each shared insights into their creative process and the role of social issues in their work.
Their interviews revealed why many choose crime fiction as a vehicle for storytelling—addressing themes of justice, gender equality, immigration, and even environmental concerns while maintaining gripping suspense.
Comparing Japan and the Nordics
In the panel Mystery Fiction in Japan and the Nordics: Similarities and Differences, Arisugawa and Alsterdal compared Japan’s tradition of logical puzzle-solving with the Nordic focus on social critique and character psychology. The discussion underscored how the two traditions might continue to influence one another.
Crime as Social Mirror
In the closing session, Depicting Society Through Crime Fiction, Lehtolainen, Horst, and Sigurðardóttir emphasized that crime novels are not mere entertainment but a means to confront urgent social questions.
A Shared Power of Storytelling
Nordic Literature Days showcased the diversity of Nordic writing across two very different genres. Day one highlighted how children’s books treat young readers with respect while addressing deep social themes, while day two explored the global appeal of Nordic crime fiction and its social conscience.
The event left many with new titles to explore and a renewed appreciation for the “power of story” that transcends borders.