Literary October in Helsinki with Edouard Louis, Olivier Norek and Philippe Collin

Come and meet these three French authors at several events taking place across the capital in late October!

📅 23/10/2026 → 25/10/2026

The Book Fair returns to Helsinki at the end of October! For this year’s event, three French authors have been invited by Finnish publishing houses to present their novels:

  • Tammi is inviting Edouard Louis to present L’effondrement (Editions du Seuil, 2024 ~ English version: Collapse, translation by Tash Aw, 2026)
  • Otava is inviting Olivier Norek to present Surface (Michel Lafon, 2022 ~ English version: Surface, translation by Nick Caistor, 2026)
  • Siltala Publishing is inviting Philippe Collin to present Le Barman du Ritz (Albin Michel, 2024 ~ English version: The Barman of the Ritz, translation by Frank Wynne, 2026)

Get ready for three days of interviews, meet-and-greets and book signings! And for those who can’t make it to the Book Fair, here’s some good news: you’ll still be able to meet Collin and Norek at Akateeminen Kirjakauppa during a free event open to the public.

Detailed programme:

  • Friday 23 October:
  • Saturday 24 October:
    • 1.00 pm: Interview with Philippe Collin by Pihla Hintikka – Book Fair – Suomalainen stand 6b50
  • Sunday 25 October:
    • 2.00 pm: Interview with Philippe Collin by Pihla Hintikka – Book Fair – Senaatintori Stage

On your (book)mark, set, go!

Meeting points:

  • Helsinki Book Fair: Expo and Convention Centre – Messukeskus – Messuaukio 1, Helsinki, FI 00520 – tickets available for purchase at this address
  • Akateeminen Kirjakauppa: Keskuskatu 1, 00100 Helsinki

Several books by Philippe Collin, Edouard Louis and Olivier Norek are available in French and Finnish at the Institute’s library. For further details, please consult our online catalogue.

This page is subject to change: please check it regularly to keep up to date with current events.