Tehran, Helsinki Eager to Broaden Cultural Ties

TEHRAN (IBNA) -- Finnish Ambassador to Tehran Kari Kahiluoto spoke about the methods to strengthen interactions based on books between Iran as Finnish Literature Exchange (FILI) is seeking cooperation with other countries.
In an interview with IBNA about Finnish Literature Exchange in Finland said: “FILI is active in the field of translating Finnish literature into other languages and its promotion in other countries.”
“The entity is responsible for This organization is looking for ways to introduce Finnish literature in other countries. During my summer visit to the FILI complex, we agreed to review and convey the methods of bilateral cooperation of this organization with the relevant organizations in other countries,” he stated.
In respect to the activities of FILI on Iranian books, Kahiluoto said: “I am not sure about the activities of FILI collection in Iran and Iranian works, at least during my tenure this has not happened. However, we hope that in the future and by attending the Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF) in 2023, we will improve our ties.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Finnish Ambassador to Tehran spoke on the possibility of his country’s participation in the Tehran International Book Fair in 1402 as a guest of honor: “Finland is not currently ready to be a special guest of the Tehran Book Fair at the moment, we are just seeking a simple way to participate in the fair and are not ready to accept heavy and difficult commitments.
Finnish Literature Exchange was founded in 1977 by the Finnish education ministry as a department of the Finnish Literature Society. We provide expertise and support for the export of Finnish literature.
Referring to the history of translating Iranian works into Finnish and vice versa, he said: “By now, many books of ancient and contemporary Persian literature have been translated and published in Finland, the number of books translated from Finnish into Persian is also remarkable; But I don’t have a survey on the number of these books, especially works of Iranian contemporary literature in Finland.”
Finnish Literature Exchange was founded in 1977 by the Finnish education ministry as a department of the Finnish Literature Society. We provide expertise and support for the export of Finnish literature.
FILI supports publishing professionals in Finland and abroad, build networks and connect professionals, award grants to publishers and bring translators of Finnish literature together.