Nigerian literature gains attention at Helsinki fairNigerian writer Tomi Falade is exploring opportunities to have her historical works translated into Finnish after her books attracted interest at the 2026 Helsinki Book Fair in Finland.
Falade, who led a delegation of Nigerian creatives to the four-day exhibition, said discussions had begun with Finnish publishers to make her books accessible to a wider readership.
The event, held from October 22 to 25 at the Messukeskus Exhibition Centre, provided a platform for Nigerian writers, artists and traditional craft makers to showcase the country's creative heritage to an international audience.
Start tomorrow informed
Save your place for the morning brief. We’ll start emailing when delivery goes live.
Free. Confirm by email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Falade said the response to her books exceeded her expectations, particularly among visitors who did not speak English.
“As much as I knew that I would find an audience in Europe, I was worried for the non-English readers. Surprisingly, that was no problem,” she said.
She added that some visitors were so interested in the works that they bought digital copies through Amazon.
Falade presented four books at the fair, including three historical dramas, ỌLỌ́BÙN: Matriarch of Ondo, Mother of Legacy, Orompotoniyun: 12 Nights For A Crown and Alayemore: The Twice-Crowned King. She also showcased her contemporary short story collection, Dates From Hell.
Her sister, Oluwafunmilayo Falade, is reportedly in talks with Finnish publishers to produce editions entirely in Finnish.
“Because of the level of acceptance of our literature, my sister, Oluwafunmilayo Falade, is in talks with a couple of Finnish publishers to see how we might produce copies entirely in Finnish so that we can widen the audience even more,” she said.
Falade added that African storytelling continued to evolve and connect people across borders.
“African stories are alive, and when something is alive, it doesn’t sit still; it moves, it grows, and it connects,” she said.
The Nigerian delegation was invited by Africans and the African-Europeans Association (AFAES ry), a Helsinki-based multicultural non-profit organisation. Its exhibition stand featured literary works, visual art and traditional crafts.
Other participants included London-based Nollywood pioneer and playwright Christopher Iheuwa, who presented his work, The Quest, and visual artist Abolore Sobayo, whose artworks featured prominently at the exhibition. Oluwafunmilayo Falade also supported the delegation.
Before the book fair, Tomi Falade participated in a panel discussion on the cultural dimensions of regional development in Africa at a diplomatic event organised by the Council of Moroccans in Finland on October 21.
The discussion, held at the International School of Vantaa, featured speakers from Morocco, Finland and the Middle East.
Falade spoke on the role of culture in promoting sustainable development and strengthening connections between communities and regions.
Discussion0