According to an Estonian Institute press release, the fresh number features several portrait stories, including by Berk Vaher about Estonian magic realism luminary Nikolai Baturin, his favorite writer, and Jan Kaus about European Union Prize for Literature laureate Paavo Matsin. There is also an interview with Indrek Koff, an Estonian author who writes for both children and adults as well as translates French literature into Estonian.

The spring issue of the magazine also includes three new translations of selections from Estonian literature by Minnesota native Adam Cullen, including from Paavo Matsin’s "The Gogol Disco," Indrek Koff’s "Stories of a Hundred Nations" ("Saja rahva lood") and Mihkel Mutt’s "The Estonian Circumciser" ("Eesti ümberlõikaja").

Mait Vaik, an Estonian musician, writer and lyricist whose works have been used by such bands as Vennaskond, Sõpruse Puiestee, Metro Luminal, Kosmikud and Tuberkuloited, writes about his five favorite books in Estonian literature and Carolina Pihelgas provides an overview of the most influential female voices in Estonian poetry of recent times, among them Eda Ahi, Helena Läks, Sveta Grigorjeva, Silvia Urgas and Kelly Turk.

The reviews section of this issue, curated and written by Jürgen Rooste and Peeter Helme, covers the top works of Estonian prose in 2016, including Eeva Park’s "Pets’ Paradise" ("Lemmikloomade paradiis"), Maarja Kangro’s "The Glass Child" ("Klaaslaps"), Katrin Johanson’s "Atlantis in a Cove" ("Atlantis abajas"), Lauri Sommer’s "Stories from the South. 2012-2016" ("Lugusid lõunast. 2012-2016") and Tarmo Teder’s "Andrus’ Life and Joy" ("Andruse elu ja õnn"). Also looked at are Triin Soomets’ poetry collection "Chosen Qualities" ("Valitud omadused") as well as two collections by Billeneeve, "An Autumn like an Ending Relationship" ("Sügis nagu lõppev suhe") and "A One-Windowed World" ("Ühe aknaga maailm").

The newest issue of the Estonian Literary Magazine, which is issued twice per year with the support of the Estonian Ministry of Culture and the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, can be read online and downloaded for free here.

The magazine will also be available at the London Book Fair next week as well as locally at larger libraries and the Estonian Institute (Suur-Karja 14, Tallinn).