Jari Järvelä (Finland)

Jari Järvelä (born 1966) is a writer originally from Helsinki who lives with his family in Kotka. In addition to his critically acclaimed novels, he has written radio plays, stage plays, opera librettos, and travelogues.

Järvelä is interested in history, travel, and wine – ideally all at the same time. He holds a black belt in karate. He is drawn to all kinds of new landscapes, as long as they allow for swimming, walking, climbing, or travelling by train.

Jari Järvelä is no stranger to Estonian readers, as four of his works have been translated into Estonian, starting in 2023. On Both Sides of the Waterfall („Kahele poole koske”, 2018; Est. 2023, trans. Kadri Jaanits), which was nominated for Finland’s prestigious Finlandia Prize, examines the 1918 Civil War and its aftermath. Aino A (2021; Est. 2023, trans. Kai Aareleid) is a provocative biographical novel about Aino Aalto, the woman standing beside and in the shadow of the famous architect Alvar Aalto.

I Love Eva Braun („ Ma armastan Eva Brauni”, 2023; Est. 2024, trans. Piret Pääsuke) tells the story of a wannabe writer who begins forging Eva Braun’s diaries, gradually adopting the identity of that infamous woman. It is a game within a game that mocks not only the dictator but also human traits such as the thirst for fame and recognition, the strange urge to collect, and the desire to be someone else. The novel speaks as much about the present day as it does about the era of Eva Braun.

His most recently published work, Mozzarella Moon and Other Travel Stories („ Mozzarella-kuu ja teisi reisijutte”, 2022; Est. 2026, trans. Piret Pääsuke), contains the stories of a backpacking writer travelling through places where wine flows, and olive trees grow.

Translator Kadri Jaanits provided an apt characterisation of Jari Järvelä’s work in the afterword to On Both Sides of the Waterfall: “…a clearly recognisable style, humour, and a habit of diving into the whirlwind of gripping events without lengthy explanations. In addition to well-told, exciting stories, Järvelä’s work is characterised by a social aspect and by giving a voice to the weak and the marginalised in society.”

The “weaker ones” to whom Järvelä gives a voice are often women – whether it be Aino Aalto, the undeservedly overshadowed wife of the famous architect, or even Eva Braun herself.