Ida Therén in conversation with Sanna Tahvanainen

The conversation centers on Therén’s novel Det osynliga templet – en vision om Hilma af Klint ("The Invisible Temple—a vision of Hilma af Klint", not translated to English). Ida Therén (1985–) made her debut as a novelist in 2018 with Att omfamna ett vattenfall ("Embracing a Waterfall", not translated into English). In 2025, her second novel, Det osynliga templet – en vision om Hilma af Klint ("The Invisible Temple – a vision of Hilma af Klint", not translated into English) was published; it is the first part of a planned trilogy. The book depicts the artist Hilma af Klint during a few days in London in the 1920s. Hilma and the women in her circle were deeply Christian, with theosophical and later anthropological influences, and were often active in cultural life and public discourse. They became involved early on in issues such as vegetarianism, women in the clergy, same-sex relationships, and the rights and opportunities of women artists in society. In her trilogy of novels, Therén aims to depict life in Stockholm around the turn of the century from a woman’s perspective. On a deeper level, she explores the fine line between the desire to do good and the risk of unconsciously contributing to evil. What happens when a person delves too deeply into spirituality and loses touch with earthly reality? Ida Therén has been granted a residency at Residency B28 on Suomenlinna, during which she is working on an upcoming novel and drawing ideas and inspiration from the connections she makes during her residency. Sanna Tahvanainen made her debut in 1994 with the poetry collection Fostren and has since written around 15 books for both adults and children. She is perhaps best known for her “women’s trilogy” series of biographical novels about Queen Victoria, Coco Chanel, and Sylvia Plath. Nordic Culture Point 3.12.2026 17.00-18.00 Free entry