Who are we?

The writers on tour:

Aina Bergroth (b. 1975) published her debut novel Ah autuutta (Oh bliss) in 2007. Prinsessan kirjeet (Princess's letters) came out anonymously in 2010. Both works deal with love and the inevitability of breaking up. Bergroth works as a literary assistant in the Finnish National Theatre and works on her PhD in the Department of Comparative Literature, University of Helsinki.

Pauliina Haasjoki (b. 1976) has published four collections of poetry: Ikkunassa on huone (There's a Room in the Window) 1999, Ukkosen odottajat (Waiting for the Thunder) 2002, Epäilyttävät puut (Suspicious Trees) 2005, Pääskynen ja lepakko (The Swallow and the Bat) 2009 and one poetry dialogue Kolmosten talo (The Triplet's House) 2005, together with Reetta Niemelä. Haasjoki's fifth collection Aallonmurtaja (The Breakwater) will come out in august 2011. In addition to poetry, Haasjoki has written essays, book reviews and articles; she has been awarded the non-fiction writing prize 'Vuoden kynä' of the Kone Foundation in 2010. Haasjoki is a postgraduate student and currently finishing off her PhD.

Kaisa Ijäs (b. 1977) published her debut collection of poems Siskot, veljet (Sisters, brothers) in 2009. The collection was awarded the Katri Vala Prize and nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize for the best debut of the year. Besides her literary work Ijäs has studied film and Russian language and literature.

Katja Kettu (b. 1978) has published two novels Surujenkerääjä (The Sorrow Collector) and Hitsaaja (The Welder). Kettu's debut novel was nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize in 2005 and awarded the Tiiliskivi Prize the same year. Besides her literary work Kettu is a distinguished director of animated films and music videos.

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) has published a novel, Sakset (Scissors) in 2007. It was nominated for the Finlandia Prize the same year. She is currently writing her second novel about the fantasy of the seconds after death, and finishing off her PhD in French "Nathalie Sarraute. La micropolitique de l'écriture". In 2005 Lindstedt wrote and directed a poetical dialogue Laulu kahdesta ihmisestä. The scenery of the dialogue was F.W Murnau's silent film Sunrise and its live soundtrack was realised by two actors and two musicians. Lindstedt has written numerous essays and book reviews. She is the chairperson of Nuoren Voiman Liitto.

Mikko Rimminen (b. 1975) has published two volumes of poetry: Jännittävää olisi nähdä pihalla lintuja (It would be exciting to see birds on the yard) and Sumusta pulppuavat mustat autot (Black cars gush from the fog), three novels Pussikaljaromaani (Park Life), Pölkky (The Block) and Nenäpäivä (Red Nose Day) as well as the prose book Hämärä luonto (Obscure Nature) in collaboration with Kyösti Salokorpi. Rimminen was awarded the Kalevi Jäntti Literary Prize for Pussikaljaromaani in 2004. The same year Pussikaljaromaani was also nominated for the Finlandia Prize. Rimminen's debut collection of poetry was nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize. In 2010 Rimminen's novel Nenäpäivä was awarded the Finlandia Prize.

Aki Salmela (b. 1976) has published four collections of poetry in Finnish: Sanomattomia lehtiä (Newsless Newssheets), Leikitään kotia (Let's Play House), Tyhjyyden ympärillä (Around Nothingness) and Yhtä ja samaa (One and the Same). In addition to these Salmela has published a volume of poetry in English, Word in Progress. Salmela's debut collection of poetry was awarded the Kalevi Jäntti Literary Prize in 2004 and nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize. Salmela's third volume of poetry was awarded the poetry prize Tanssiva Karhu of the Finnish Broadcasting Company in 2008. In addition to his literary work Salmela is a distinguished translator of poetry. He has translated poetry of John Ashbery and Ron Padgett among others.

Eino Santanen (b. 1975) has published three volumes of poetry Kuuntele, romantiikkaa (Listen, romance), Merihevonen kääntää kylkeään (The Seahorse turns over) and Punainen seinä (The Red Wall) which came out in 2010. Santanen's second collection was awarded the Kalevi Jäntti Literary Prize in 2006 and nominated for the Tanssiva Karhu Prize of The Finnish Broadcasting Company. In addition to the poetry published in book form, Santanen has cooperated with film directors, playwrights and musicians, and has initiated and participated in numerous projects aiming to bring contemporary poetry into new enviroments such as karaoke, metro walls, computer games, performing arts and literary clubs combining different art forms.

Jarkko Tontti (b. 1971) has published two volumes of poetry Vuosikirja (The Yearbook) and Jacasser and a novel, Luokkakokous (A Class Reunion). His latest work is the essay collection Koti, uskonto ja isänmaa (Home, Religion and Fatherland) 2011. Tontti's first collection was awarded the Kalevi Jäntti Literary Prize in 2006 and nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize. Besides poetry and prose Tontti has written radio plays, essays, book reviews, columns and books on law and philosophy. Tontti is the chairperson of the Finnish PEN.

Katariina Vuorinen (s. 1976) has published three collections of poetry: Edith suuteli minua unessa (Edith kissed me in my dream), Kylmä rintama (The Cold Front) and Rouvien ja lintujen talo (The House of Ladies and birds) that came out in 2010. Vuorinen's poems have been published in various anthologies. Her debut collection was nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize in 2001. Rouvien ja lintujen talo was nominated for the Tiiliskivi Prize in 2011. Vuorinen is the chairperson of the Writers' Union of Central Finland and she is in charge of the Writer' House of Central Finland in the The European Network of Literary Centres.

Also on tour:

Kaisa Kaakinen (b. 1979) is a literature researcher and critic. On the tour she will host the German language events and assist in the Polish language events.

Martti-Tapio Kuuskoski (b. 1968) is the editor-in-chief of Nuori Voima. On the tour he establishes contacts with local writers to find texts for Nuori Voima magazine.

Miikka Palokangas (b. 1980) is a literature student. He is the assistant and photographer on the tour.

Laura Serkosalo (b. 1974) is the executive director of Nuoren Voiman Liitto. She is the tour leader and organiser.