 |  |  |  |  |  |    |
| TWO BOOKS OF THE YEARLast year´s Book of the Year title was awarded, exceptionally, to two books. In the opinion of the Finnish Book Arts Committee these books are a worthy portrayal in literary form of both today and the future. The Committee selected a total of 24 books and book series for its collection The Finest Finnish Books 2007. These received a diploma. Seven books received a diploma for the year´s best book jackets. One of the books chosen as Book of the Year was Erik Kruskopf´sApollon i Daphnes famn - Om Göran Schildts konstsyn, designed by Anders Carpelan. The other was Luonnoskirja - The Sketchbook, a work realized by graphic design students at the University of Art and Design Helsinki and edited by Sakke Yrjölä. The Finnish Book Arts Committee has always valued classic book production skills alongside fresh creative solutions. The two books were quintessential representatives of the extremes of design outlook. The books competed neck and neck throughout for the title of Book of the Year. In honour of the high standard of Finnish book production and to mark 150 years of the Finnish Book Publishers Association it was decided to award the title to both books. Apollon i Daphnes famn handsomely exemplifies the classic tradition of constant reform in European book art. Luonnoskirja affirms that book art can be both a powerful interpreter of its own time as well as a window on the future. Book series gaining groundIn awarding its prize the Committee paid particular attention to typography, materials, technical realization, art, and the balance of content and design. Apart from the two titles chosen, the Finest Finnish Books collection contains 22 other books. The majority are non-fiction, the remainder comprising two novels, three children´s books and three book series. There are works from sixteen different publishers or editors. Apart from his winning contribution, graphic designer Anders Carpelan ´s work on another book, Arne Toftegaard Pedersen´sUrbana odysséer - Helsingfors, staden och 1910-talets finlandssvenska prosa, also achieved recognition. The Committee noted that the design of book series is making significant strides in a more positive direction. Three book series were accorded recognition by the Committee. Keskiyön kirjasto in hardcover, designed and illustrated by Tiina Palokoski, is stylish and gloomily exquisite, admirably suited to the horror classic genre. The seven-language Peruskielioppi- ja harjoituskirjasarja, designed by Jani Pulkka and illustrated by Jukka Pylväs, will provide a considerable challenge to textbook designers. Arto Salminen´sKootut teokset, designed by Mika Tuominen, is a stylish collection of provocative novels. Katja Tukiainen´sWorks, with graphic design realized by Annemari Hietanen and Marko Turunen, is the most original of the art books. Everything in the book is hand-formed, including the text. Small publisher Daada who produced the book talks of its publishing works of art disguised as printed material. It worked! Books out of love and aspirationThe Finest Finnish Books 2007 collection is larger than last year´s. According to the Committee the overall design of books has notably improved. It was evident that a great deal of love and aspiration had been poured into the graphic design and technical preparation of many of the books submitted for evaluation. Nevertheless errors and oversights were still making themselves apparent. The Committee received a total of 203 books, fiction, non-fiction, children´s books and textbooks, published during the past year. Books were submitted by 65 publishers and producers. Of these, almost half were members of the Finnish Book Publishers Association, the remainder consisting of small specialist publishers issuing a few books each year, and museums, companies and associations. Finland seems to possess the desire, the skill, and indeed the passion for creating fine books. The finest books from Finland and Estonia on showThe Finest Books from Finland and Estonia 2007 exhibition takes place at the National Library of Finland during 14 March-19 April. The Finest Finnish Books collection will be on show later at other libraries and book fairs. The Finnish Book Arts Committee has selected the Finest Finnish Books every year since 1946. The Committee works in conjunction with the Finnish Book Foundation. Representatives from sixteen organizations and institutions in the field of books and graphic art participate in the Committee´s activities. FURTHER INFORMATION AND PHOTOS:Tuula Isoniemi, Chair of the Finnish Book Art Committee Press photos: Photo credits: Photos of Luonnoskirja:    |
