Kristina Sabaliauskaitė announced Author of the Day at London Book Fair 2018
The London Book Fair, together with its partners the British Council and the Publishers Association, are delighted to reveal the three headline authors who will represent Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as Market Focus Authors of the Day at LBF 2018.
Three internationally celebrated writers – Kristina Sabaliauskaitė (Lithuania), Nora Ikstena (Latvia) and Mihkel Mutt (Estonia) – will be honoured on the second day of LBF (11th April 2018), with a special dedicated programme aimed at shining a spotlight on their outstanding career achievements and work.
Writer and art historian Kristina Sabaliauskaitė is the most widely read contemporary Lithuanian author. Born in Vilnius and based in London since 2002, her four-part historic novel series Silva Rerum is a long term number-one international bestseller and widely regarded as among the most important Lithuanian literary works of the last decade.
One of the most influential and prominent prose writers and essayists in Latvia, Nora Ikstena is known for her elaborate style and detailed approach to language. Her work often reflects on life, love, death and faith, and she has written 30 literary works, including her most recent novel Soviet Milk, which was shortlisted for an Annual Literature Award for best prose and will come out in the UK by Peirene Press.
Representing Estonia, Mihkel Mutt is a renowned, provocative writer and columnist. Originally a theatre and literary critic he made his debut as a writer in the 70s, and has now published over 40 titles across a variety of genres. In recent years he has focused his attention on reporting history and current affairs and his work is typically personified by his biting irony and hyperbolic wit.
Jacks Thomas, Director of The London Book Fair, commented:
‘With such an impressive pool of contemporary literary talent in The Baltics – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — choosing our spotlight Authors of the Day was a particularly daunting task this year. However, we are delighted with the selection of these three fantastic writers, each of whom are brilliant ambassadors for both literature from the Baltic region, and their individual nations. We look forward to giving them a warm LBF welcome and shining a spotlight on their writing talent and prestigious careers.”
Cortina Butler, Director Literature at the British Council said:
“The London Book Fair Market Focus Cultural Programme in 2018 creates the opportunity to increase awareness in the UK of the variety of rich literature in all three Baltic countries. We are delighted that the notable writers Nora Ikstena from Latvia, Lithuanian Kristina Sabaliauskaitė and Mihkel Mutt from Estonia have all agreed to appear as Authors of the Day.”