Author Visit with Maria Vakkuri - Ämmänhauta - Strange Stories from Finland

Maria Vakkuri is a writer from Salo and marketing professional who has been captivated by strange stories since childhood. She first discovered ghost tales on library shelves, and her interest later deepened into a desire to understand where such stories come from and why they are passed down from generation to generation.

While writing "Strange Stories from Finland", Vakkuri researched Finnish urban legends, stories that live in online discussions, and places where these narratives have become rooted over decades. She is particularly interested in why certain stories endure and how these same phenomena appear today on the internet. Vakkuri has previously published three books and led writing courses and workshops.

The author visit does not seek to answer whether the stories are true. Instead, it pauses to reflect on why they are told, how they change over time, and why each generation seems to have its own versions of strange stories.