The largest happening for Nordic and Baltic drama so far brings a number of Estonian playwrights and directors to the stage

Tomorrow, on September 25th, 2025 the Gothenburg Book Fair begins in Sweden, with one of its focal themes being Scandinavian and Baltic drama. Estonian playwrights and theatre makers will also be presented on the stages of the book fair, and the program includes nearly 15 events organized with Estonian participation. 

The drama program is led by the Swedish agency Colombine Teaterförlag, with the Estonian Theatre Agency, the Finnish theatre information center TINFO, and Dramatikkens hus (Norway) as main partners, in collaboration with Latvian Theatre Workers Union and Lithuanian Theatre Information Centre, with additional support from Danske Dramatikere (Denmark) and Performing Arts Iceland. 

The focus on Scandinavian and Baltic drama offers a unique opportunity to showcase Estonian theatre and dramaturgy at Scandinavia’s largest cultural event. Last year, 93,661 people visited the Gothenburg Book Fair, and similar audience interest can be expected in 2025. In addition to the regular audience, up to 1,000 international theatre professionals are expected to attend.

“We are delighted to be part of the largest happening for Nordic and Baltic drama so far. We have worked very closely with our partners in Finland, Sweden, and Norway in preparing for the fair, and we hope to reap the benefits of this collaboration for many years to come,” said Liisi Aibel, the new director of the Estonian Theatre Agency. The main goal of the events organized with Estonia’s participation is to create a grand narrative about Estonian theatre and drama, as our theatre culture is still largely unknown in Scandinavia. A 20-member delegation from Estonia, including both playwrights and directors, will travel to the fair.

On the first day of the fair, September 25th, Tiit Ojasoo, Maria Metsalu, and Paavo Piik will speak about Estonian theatre in the European context and discuss whether it is the last place in Europe where theatre is still truly alive and untouched by excessive political correctness. Piret Jaaks will lead a discussion about the female perspective in drama, exploring how to move towards more equal representation in this field. Andra Teede will participate in a discussion with female playwrights from the Baltic countries and will also speak at a conversation organized by the Finnish theatre information center, “Writing Tips for Millennials.” The day will end with a lively discussion between Paavo Piik, Siret Campbell, and Mehis Pihla entitled “Estonian Drama – in The Eye of A Storm?” which will take a look at Estonian playwrights as a group of introverts who have suddenly become interested in their surroundings.

On Saturday, September 27th, Mari-Liis Lill and Priit Põldma will open the fair day by discussing whether drama can make us better people, based on their experiences in documentary theatre. Laur Kaunissaare and Staffan Julén, documentalist and the communications manager at the Swedish Institute for Future Studies, will also talk about documentary theatre, focusing primarily on its political impact and role in resistance movements. On the initiative of the Gothenburg Book Fair, Mehis Pihla‘s play “Business as Usual” will be presented, followed by a discussion on money laundering and banking ethics. Johan Elm will also speak at the fair, sharing his views on the journey of text from paper to stage in a discussion entitled “The (Un)holy Text”, and Karin Allik will participate in a discussion with Scandinavian theatre critics.

On the last day of the fair, September 28th, the focus will be on children’s and youth literature: Reeli Reinaus and Erik Uddenberg, playwright and dramaturg at the Swedish national youth theatre Unga Klara, will discuss how to reach young people through playwriting, help them feel seen, and teach them to notice and care. On the other hand, there will be a discussion on the international distribution of dramaturgy in the Nordic and Baltic countries, with Siret Campbell representing the Estonian perspective.

On September 27th and 28th, visitors to the Estonian fair stand will be able to take part in Liis Vares and Taavet Jansen‘s mixed reality performance “Held in Human II: Rose in Your Brain”, which has been specially adapted for the book fair. “It is a physical reading experience, choreography of thoughts that you can experience within your own body using mixed reality glasses,” write the authors. There will also be informal meetings at the fair table, in meeting rooms, and at the Estonian House in Gothenburg, where Estonian theatre professionals will have the opportunity to showcase their work and make new contacts.

The schedule of events organised with Estonian participation can be found here: https://teater.ee/estonia-at-the-gothenburg-book-fair/?lang=en 

The presentation of Estonian drama at the Gothenburg Book Fair is supported by the Estonian Ministry of Culture. The Estonian Theatre Agency’s partners in promoting Estonian theatre at the fair are the Estonian Directors’ and Dramaturgs’ Union and the Estonian Drama Theatre.