Stages

Helsinki Book Fair Programme Stages

The Helsinki Book Fair offers a huge selection of stages! The fair features as many as 17 programme points or stages! Nearly 1,000 programme items — talks, author interviews and panel discussions — take place on these stages, with an astonishing line-up of over 1,500 speakers, including authors, decision-makers, influencers, scientists and artists!

The fair’s 17 stages are named after Helsinki’s districts and landmarks, but as always, you’ll find them all at Messukeskus.

Senaatintori Stage

The Book Fair’s largest stage, featuring this year’s theme programme along with many of our international guest authors. The programme is also available with an online programme ticket.

Hakaniemi Stage

Social and political themes. Also featuring many of our international guest authors. The programme is also available with an online programme ticket.

Esplanadi Stage

Entertainment and sharp storytelling. Crime Fiction Saturday takes place on Esplanadi. Also featuring many of our international guest authors.

Kruununhaka Stage

A dedicated stage for non-fiction, featuring Tiedetori (Science Square) programming produced by the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies on Thursday and Friday.

Töölö Stage

Literary phenomena. Saturday’s programme is produced by the Finnish Writers’ Union, and Sunday features, among other things, poetry programming produced by the Nuoren Voiman Liitto (Young Vigour Association).

Töölönlahti Stage

Audiobook narrators and creators, plus digital literary formats and phenomena.

Kallio Stage

Students from Kallio High School produce programming for young adults. Also featuring crime fiction and comics.

Suomenlinna Hall

Programming on social and historical themes.

Vallisaari Hall

Nature, sport and wellbeing.

NEW Roihuvuori

Finnish Fiction.

Kumpula

The stage features programming for children and schoolchildren. Kumpula Stage is dedicated to book presentations, music and quizzes. Children’s Area

Toukola

The stage features programming for children and schoolchildren: various activities, workshops and crafts. Children’s Area

Fiskehamnen

Programming in Swedish.

Blåbärslandet

Programming in Swedish.

Demonstration Kitchen

Books related to food and drink, along with the Chef of the Year and Server of the Year competitions. The Demonstration Kitchen is located in the Wine & Food event area.

Arabia Stage

Crafts, DIY, hobbies and hobby literature.

Busholmen

The Busholmen programme point offers children’s programming in Swedish. The programme point is located in the Swedish-language literature area, Bokbyn.