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Ena Katarina Haler unveils The Innocent Ones at Leipzig Book Fair 2026

Award-winning Croatian author Haler brings her haunting new story to life. What happens when home is both refuge and ruin?

The image shows an open book with a drawing of three women in dresses and a child standing in front...
The image shows an open book with a drawing of three women in dresses and a child standing in front of a backdrop of trees, water, and sky. The book is titled "Journal des Demoiselles" and is likely from the 18th century.

Ena Katarina Haler unveils The Innocent Ones at Leipzig Book Fair 2026

Croatian author Ena Katarina Haler will present her latest novel, The Innocent Ones, at the Leipzig Book Fair. The event takes place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 3:30 PM in Hall 5, stand G500. Admission is free for visitors with a valid book fair ticket.

Haler, trained in architecture and urban planning, works at the Institute of Art History in Zagreb. She also writes for the weekly Express, covering architecture, heritage, literature, and film. Her debut novel, Nadohvat, won multiple awards, and her new work, The Innocent Ones (Nevini in Croatian), follows a young woman’s rebellion and search for self-empowerment.

The story centres on Iris and Relja, who return to their ruined home in the abandoned borderlands near Bosnia. There, they form a fragile bond with their neighbour, Nino. But when Nino leaves, the trio’s dynamic collapses, leaving Iris to navigate transient spaces alone. The discussion will be moderated by Doris Akrap, an editor and columnist who has contributed to the event’s organiser since 2008.

Published by Folio Verlag, The Innocent Ones explores themes of isolation and resilience in a scarred landscape. The Leipzig talk offers readers a chance to hear Haler discuss her work firsthand. A valid book fair ticket is required for entry.

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