WHO IS SHE?

Eeva Maria al-Khazaali, formerly known as Eeva Karhunen, is a Finnish poet born in 1986 Finland. Her work has been featured in international anthologies, national press, and publications by ntamo, a small press based in Helsinki. In the United States, her work has been published by Adelaide Books, a New York-based publishing company.

Eeva Maria's formal journey into the literary world began with her studies at Orivesi College of Arts, where she studied creative writing. There, she received guidance from professional writers, delving into drama, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. This period was pivotal for her development as a poet, culminating in the release of her debut poetry collection in Finland, *Unelma* (The Dream), which has not been translated.

During her formative years, Eeva Maria spent time in the United Kingdom. She balanced her studies with work as a life model for drawing classes in Bedford. She studied Performing Arts/English & Theatre at the University of Bedfordshire. She continued her education at the University of Wolverhampton, studying Film Studies, though she did not complete her degree, leaving art school as a drop-out.

Upon returning to Finland, Eeva Maria immersed herself in the art and culture sector, working with various non-profit organisations. She took on roles of significant responsibility in NGOs. She also served as a chief for employing other artists and mentored fine art.

Beyond traditional publishing, Eeva Maria has created and produced several poetry videos, which can be found here. Her performances span both Finnish and English, and she has toured internationally. Notably, she performed in India with the Delhi Poetry Slam, appearing at venues such as a café in Varanasi, a bookstore in Bangalore, and at the Tata Literature Live! festival in 2023.

Eeva Maria al-Khazaali is a member of the Union of Finnish Writers, reflecting her standing in the literary community in her dynamic presence in the literary and artistic world. Through her varied roles and creative projects, Eeva Maria continues to impact and inspire the cultural landscape.