Voices from Ukraine – Theme 2022

The 2022 Gothenburg Book Fair, which marks the 38th instalment of the event, will represent a magnificent return to Gothenburg’s Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre, after two years as a hybrid event. This year, the fair will be focusing on South Africa, the Climate Crisis, and Crimetime – as well as Voices from Ukraine, which now has been announced as an additional theme for the event. Gothenburg Book Fair has taken the initiative to bring this theme to the programme in order to give dedicated space to Ukrainian writers and narratives in these difficult times. The thematic focus will be delivered in partnership with stakeholders including the Embassy of Ukraine in Sweden, Swedish PEN, the Global Square, the Church of Sweden and several publishing houses and other organisations.

“Russia’s war in Ukraine is a horrific violation against a country and its people but also on freedom of expression and democracy. To make room for Ukrainian voices is the least we can do. The spotlight is already on Ukraine, and during the Book Fair we will be directing some of that light onto narratives that currently have nowhere to go,” says Oskar Ekström, Programme Director at the Book Fair.

Details of the theme are currently being drawn up. It will comprise multiple strands. The Book Fair and the Ukrainian Embassy are planning a stand that will showcase Ukrainian literature. Ukrainian authors will be invited alongside publishers and other stakeholders, such as Swedish PEN, the Global Square and the Church of Sweden, who will also be assigning parts of their own programming to the promotion of Ukrainian voices and stories. Further details will be announced at a later date.