WHAT IS SYSMÄ BOOK VILLAGE?
 
Kerttu Tapiola is the mother of the Book Village days and a honoured guest.  

Without dear old Kerttu - that is to say Kerttu Tapiola- it is hard to begin to think about this book village. She fulfilled her desire to earn a living in a rural setting with the aid of an old bookshop. Kerttu also fulfilled her desire, with the aid of a group of helpers, for 10 years (1988 - 1998) to keep Kerttu's Book Days, which is the forerunner of Sysmä Book Village Days. Sysmä was formerly announced as Sysmä Book Village in 1997 and at the same time joined the international book village network.

In 1999 the book days started as the book village's main event. Mainly old books and old book making craft according to international standards, some modern literature and its phenomena is also present. The main objective of Sysmä Book Village is to specialise in Finn-Ugric, Scandinavian and Russian literature.

Sysmä Book Village Association was established in 1995. The Association keeps its members through book associated operations, such as author visits and other events in Sysmä. Sysmä Book Village Oy was established in 1999. The purpose of this company is to revive the business structure in a commercial context. The most important tool for this is naturally, books and associated items.

Top young authors at Villa Sarkia in Sysmä Book Village

Villa Sarkia – a residence meant for young authors, poets, translators, is now in full action.
Sysmä Municipality and Nuoren Voiman Liitto- association made a co-operation agreement.  The association is responsible to find the authors and the municipality takes care of the premises.  The authors are obligated to give a presentation of some kind at least once during their stay.

Villa Sarkia is dedicated to a famous Finnish poet, Kaarlo Sarkia, who lived in Sysmä for quite a short time, during the years 1943-45.  In the residence there are pieces of old Sarkia furniture and as a donation to the residence there is a poster on the wall of old newspaper clippings telling about this poet.

The grand opening was on the 10th of August 2010.