Sysmä Book Village in English

Sysmä Book Village Association was founded in 1997. The original name was Sysmän Kirjakylän Tuki ry. The aim of the association is to promote people's voluntary literature interest and renew and develop the people's comprehension of culture as well as to create international connections particularly through a net of book villages.

In the spirit of voluntary work, Sysmä Book Village has carried out The Book Days since 1999 and the event has found its place in Finland's cultural life. The association has also organized other book related events, it has informed of book village activities, it has produced and made available to buy many different kinds of book village products, helped the publishing of the Book Village magazine and created connections to international book villages. The association also annually organizes trips to different literature events.

The Book Village Award - originally known as the Sahti Award - was founded by the Sysmä Neuvottelukunta in the summer of 1997 and it is worth of 1700 euros. The award is "given to an author, whom is desired to have bonds to lake Päijänne and its environment". The election of the author is carried out by the Book Village government and the cost of the award has been paid by Sysmä Book Village Oy since 2002.

Sysmä Book Village Association government is formed by the following people:

Kari Halme	President	Halme.Kari@Phnet.fi
Timo Hänninen	Vice president
Antti Karhos	Secretary
Heikki Oksanen
Eija Juhola
Pirjo Aartolahti