Turku Book Fair set to commence this Friday at Turku Fair Center in Finland

The Turku Book Fair kicks off this Friday at the Turku Fair Center with a heightened atmosphere of excitement. The center’s CEO, Päivi Rytsä, is expected to share details about next year’s book fair during a press conference in the morning.

Last spring, the Turku Fair Center announced plans to abandon its current location in Artukainen, leading to speculation about the future of Finland’s oldest book fair. Vilja-Tuulia Huotarinen, the event’s program director, affirmed the desire to continue the book fair in Turku, provided a new location can be determined.

“It’s clear that there is a will to continue the event. However, as of now, it seems the Turku Fair Center will be left behind,” Huotarinen stated. When asked about potential new venues for the fair, she mentioned that there is currently no information available. “It is also possible that no alternative location can be found, allowing the event to continue at the Turku Fair Center. We will know more later.”

Huotarinen noted that Finnish people’s growing interest in reading and books has been evident at recent fairs, with an increase in book purchases. “People are clearly coming to the fair ready to buy. For instance, last year, Rosebud achieved its own sales record at the Turku Book Fair. Similarly, WSOY and Tammi were very close to reaching their sales records.”