Dates:
- Mon, 7 Sept 2026, 18:00
When forced displacement takes away not only your home, but also your language, religion and culture. Interview conducted by PhD and literature researcher Hanna Karhu.
Yönistujat (Gummerus 2025) is Riko Saatsi’s latest work. Tatjana, the grandmother of an evacuee family, is on her deathbed, and her sensitive grandson Lasari finds himself possessed by visions. When Granny passes away, Nasti, the mother of the family, begins to make preparations for a wake. Her husband insists that everything is done properly. A coffin must be made, and relatives and neighbours must be invited to keep vigil over the body. Saatsi’s first novel is a powerful story about a displaced family from Border Karelia who, in 1950s’ Finland, are shamed for their language and religion. It depicts the power of a mother’s love as Nasti tries to pave the way for her children’s future.
Riko Saatsi is a writer and theatre director from Lieksa. He studied philosophy at the University of Helsinki and directing at the Theatre Academy. Alongside his artistic work, he is a lecturer in directing at Uniarts Helsinki. His debut work Hyviä aikomuksia was published in 2021, and his first novel, Yönistujat , was published in 2025.
In cooperation with Cultural Services, the Helsinki Finnish Adult Education Centre and Kannelmäki Library
Cost: Free
Categories: Kirjallisuus ja sanataide, Kanneltalo, Suomi, Ruotsi, Englanti, Muu, Luennot ja keskustelut, Kaupunkiuudistusalueet, conversation, lectures, Pekka ja Pätkä films, crime fiction
Source: Event information supplied by City of Helsinki Linked Events.
