Author Riko Saatski on Visit - Free Mondays

Author Riko Saatski visits Kanneltalo's Free Mondays series. He is interviewed by Dr. Hanna Karhu, a literature researcher. The event is free and open to everyone. Language: Finnish.

Saatski's debut novel Night Watchers (Gummerus 2025) tells the story of a border Karelian family in 1950s Finland. Grandmother Tatjana is dying, and the sensitive boy Lasari falls under the spell of visions. After his grandmother's death, his mother Nasti begins preparing a wake - a coffin must be obtained and relatives called to watch over the deceased. The novel portrays a family forced to be ashamed of their language and faith, and Nasti's maternal love as she tries to smooth the path for her children's future.

Riko Saatski is a writer and theatre director from Lieksa. He studied philosophy at the University of Helsinki and directing at the Theatre Academy, and works as a lecturer in directing at the University of the Arts. His previous work Good Intentions was published in 2021.

The event is organized in collaboration with Cultural Services, Helsinki Workers' Institute, and Kannelmäki Library. Free Mondays is Kanneltalo's series of free events featuring concerts, author visits, films, and community singing evenings.