Sofi Oksanen in stores and in the Benelux

Topping the Finnish bestseller charts for 16 months, the novel "Purge" (Puhdistus, 2008) by the young Finnish author sensation of Estonian descent Sofi Oksanen has been published in Dutch ("Zuivering") by Ambo|Anthos this month. The author, who is the first author ever to be awarded with both of the most prestigious Finnish literary awards, the Finlandia and Runeberg Prizes, will celebrate the occasion by visiting Amsterdam from 16th to 18th November and Brussels on 19th November.

In Brussels, Oksanen will take part in a public discussion with Estonian MEP Indrek Tarand at the Goethe-Institut Brussels. The discussion will be inspired by Oksanen's novel "Purge" which she adapted from her popular play. The novel, which follows two different timelines, offers a powerful and touching insight into Estonian history during and after the Soviet era through the eyes of two different women. Oksanen's daring and thinking prose does not shy away from controversial topics, which will also be reflected in the discussion at the Goethe-Institut. "Purge" will be published in French in 2010.

Please note that due to the large number of people wanting to attend the event, the venue has changed from the previously mentioned European Economic and Social Committee to the Goethe-Institut Brussels.

In order to attend the discussion, the audience is requested to send before hand their name and/or the name of the organization they are affiliated with to the Finnish Cultural Institute: info@finncult.be. The seats are limited, so act fast! Read and see more...