Literature association Nuoren Voiman Liitto (NVL) was founded in 1921. Literary and cultural magazine Nuori Voima has been published since 1908, and is one of the oldest cultural magazines in Finland.
Our objective is to produce high quality events and platforms for writers, support amateur writers to become professionals, to form literary networks, offer meeting spaces for writers and readers alike as well as generally to promote the teaching of literature, creative writing and literary art in Finland.
Residency Villa Sarkia
Villa Sarkia is a residency in Sysmä for writers, translators, and work groups. Sysmä is located in Päijät-Häme, beautiful area of lakes and forests. Nuoren Voiman Liitto is in charge of the residency application process whereas the municipality of Sysmä looks over the maintenance of Villa Sarkia. Arts Promotion Centre Finland supports Villa Sarkia.
The residency is primarily intended for under 40 year olds. You can apply for the Villa Sarkia residency place for 1-2 months at a time. Approved residents are charged 100€ registration fee per reservation in year 2024. No residency fee is charged for staying at Villa Sarkia.
Named after the Finnish poet Kaarlo Sarkia, Villa Sarkia is a wooden villa from the turn of the century. It is located in a peaceful setting in small Sysmä town centre. The house has three rooms: two single rooms and one double. Communal area consists of living room, sauna, and a large garden. Villa Sarkia residency can accomodate up to 3-4 writers or translators at a time and it doesn’t hold any permanent staff.
The address of Villa Sarkia is Myllymäentie 1, 19700 Sysmä, Finland. There is about half a kilometre distance to the nearest coach stop and local grocery store and the library is walking distance.
The location will guarantee a peaceful setting to work in. In Sysmä, you can visit the medieval cemetery, taste local home-brewed alcoholic bewerage called sahti, and discover the hiking routes of Ohrasaari. The Villa Sarkia guest book provides numerous stories and experiences from previous guests.
You may read more about the life in Villa Sarkia at https://villasarkia.wordpress.com/
Please note! Public transportation to and from Sysmä does not run daily. However, the municipality of Sysmä will provide additional transportation to all residency guests when needed. For more information about the current status of the transportation scheme, please contact Riikka Junttila: firstname.surname at sysma.fi.
Open call for Villa Sarkia residency 2025
The call for 2025 residency applications will open in October 2024. Please come back later for fourther instructions
Get involved with the activities on NVL!
Nuoren Voiman Liitto is a vivid association, focusing on literature and textual art. We organise literature events such as Runokuu (Poetry Moon), one of the largest poetry festivals in the Nordic countries, seminars, creative writing courses and publish Nuori Voima -magazine. Writing groups of different types gather in our premises, we maintain Villa Sarkia residence in Sysmä and organise a popular review service on literary texts.
NVL is also part of House of Text (Tekstin talo – Textens hus) in Helsinki, Finland!
We are always open for co-operation both with writers as well with other consortiums, and interested in creating new forms and formats of promoting literature. Please find our contact details here.
Become a member
Become a member of NVL! As a member you will receive discount on our courses, review service and Nuori Voima -magazine subscription. In addition you will benefit from varied members benefits e.g. in many book stores. You will also receive our monthly newsletter, where you learn about our upcoming events, courses and news first. Membership fee for 2024 is 25 eur. Order Nuori Voima -magazine for members fee (25 eur) at the same time. You can apply for membership here.
We take good care of your personal details and we don´t pass them on. Read more about our data protection practises here [in Finnish]. In case you´re already member or magazine subscriber you can update your contact details by sending e-mail to the address: toimisto@nvl.fi