Helsinki Book Fair 2025: Four Days that Proved Finland’s Love of Books
I’ve just returned from the Helsinki Book Fair at Messukeskus, and I’m still buzzing. The scale alone was astonishing: a record 104,516 visitors poured into the halls over four days—an all-time high for the venue and a new milestone for the fair.
And there’s a broader story behind those crowds. According to recent figures from the Finnish Publishers Association, fiction sales grew year-on-year while digital formats (ebooks and audiobooks) now account for roughly two-fifths of the market. Add to that BookBeat’s 350,000+ paying users in Finland and rising purchases from Finnish publishers, and you can see why commercial genres—romance included—are more visible on tables and top-lists than before. It certainly matched what I saw at the fair: stacks of feel-good love stories, lively discussions at the romance shelves, and readers happily swapping recommendations.
A Reader’s Festival—with Plenty for Writers
Although the event is very much a celebration for readers (tables stacked high with new releases, queues for signings, and delighted book chat at every turn), there’s a strong professional thread too. I slipped into two craft-focused sessions:
- AI and writing — a lively, practical discussion about where tools can assist authors and where the human voice must lead.
- Translations — a thoughtful panel on how having your book translated can shape the writer’s process and career, from editorial collaboration to the surprising way another language can reveal new shades in your story.
Both talks left me full of ideas for my own projects.
Rights & Audio: A Promising Conversation
While I can’t share details just yet, I had a very interesting meeting about translation rights and an audiobook deal. More on this soon—but suffice to say, exciting doors may be opening.
A Meaningful Reunion: John Nurmisen Säätiö
I also caught up with people from John Nurmisen Säätiö, the foundation that once awarded me a prize for my thesis on British politics. Their mission today focuses on protecting the Baltic Sea and Finland’s waterways—work that feels especially urgent and inspiring. It was a joy to reconnect and hear about their latest projects.
Romance Rising in Finland
One of my favourite parts of the fair was chatting with so many lovely readers browsing the stands. I was struck by how many new titles in romance were on display. Traditionally, romance hasn’t been as prominent in Finland as in some other markets, but this year the breadth of offerings and the enthusiasm felt markedly different.
Romance is clearly in demand on major services, too. Storytel Finland’s lists around Valentine’s Day spotlighted romance titles, released specifically to show how much listeners were “searching for love.” While this isn’t a market-share figure, it’s solid platform evidence of strong appetite (see: press.storytel.com).
Famous Faces & Packed Stages
The fair’s programme was a who’s who of public figures with books out this season. Former President Sauli Niinistö, and current President Alexander Stubb both drew huge audiences, and there were vast posters advertising the forthcoming memoir by former Prime Minister Sanna Marin. All underscoring how deeply literature and public conversation intertwine in Finland. With halls this crowded, you could feel the cultural heartbeat of the country in real time.
The Sheer Joy of Numbers
Crowds thronged every aisle; signing queues snaked around corners; café tables were never empty. If anyone still wondered whether Finns love to read, Helsinki answered emphatically. The energy was infectious. There was curiosity, conversation, and that quiet happiness of finding your next favourite book. No wonder the fair keeps breaking records.
