No Result

View All Result

LITERATURE NIGHT 2024

Literature Night has been organised since 2006 by the Czech Centres in collaboration with EUNIC (European Union National Institutes for Culture), foreign diplomatic missions, and the Labyrint
publishing house. The goal of project is to increase public interest in contemporary
European literature and its intellectual and creative currents. It also highlights the importance of multilingualism and the significance of translations from both major and smaller languages.

This year, selected excerpts from new Czech translations introduced the contemporary works of 22 authors: in addition to 20 EU countries, Ukraine was once again represented, and the inclusion of Romani literature has also become a tradition.

Since 2013, through the Association of Czech Library and Information Professionals of the Czech Republic (SKIP), more cities in Czechia have been joining the project, with the number increasing every year. A variety of other institutions – theatres, cultural centres, and other social and cultural organisations – also participate.

Literature Night is one of the network projects of the Czech Centres, and in collaboration with the Czech Centres abroad, it is joined by numerous European and non-European cities. Over the years, the project is expanding and is becoming a cultural event with an international reach.

Literature Night has gradually become the largest international literary event in Czechia.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE 2024 EDITION

The part of the project taking place in Czechia received, among others, the patronage of the Government of the Czech Republic, in connection with the 20th anniversary of the country‘s EU membership – using the logo Tvoříme Evropu již 20 let (Shaping Europe for 20 Years).
Subtitle: “Reading Knows No Borders!“
A record-breaking participation of over 85 cities and towns, not only libraries but also other cultural institutions and organisations, joined the 2024 edition.
Greater focus on engaging younger audiences.
Introduction of a new visual style.
Significant increase in inclusive elements.
Enhanced activity on social media, with young people actively contributing to content creation, was a major success.
Czech Radio once again became the main media partner.
Thanks to the support of the Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic, Ukrainian literature was included in the programme.

BOOKS OF THE LITERATURE NIGHT 2024

TOMMY BARNES

A Beer in the Loire

JOHN BOYNE

My Brother´s Name is Jessica

ANJET DAANJE

The Song of the Stork and the Dromedary

JONAS EIKA

After the Sun

ANNIE ERNAUX

The Young Man / Happening

OLGA FEČOVÁ

Days Were Too Short For Me

Lucy in the Forest With the Thingies

NICOL HOCHHOLCZEROVÁ

This Room Is Impossible To Eat

THOMAS HÜRLIMANN

The Red Diamond

LÍDIA JORGE

Those We Shall Remember

MARIA NAVARRO SKARANGER

Emily Forever

IRENE SOLÀ

When I Sing, Mountains Dance

LITERATURE NIGHT IN PRAGUE

18 SEPTEMBER 2024 PRAGUE 1 / HRADČANY / OFFICIAL OPENING

During the Literature Night, a different part of Prague comes alive with literature each time. This year, in connection with the 20th anniversary of the country‘s EU membership, Hradčany hosted the event, with major institutions located in the area becoming co-organisers.

Literature Night was officially opened at the Trauttmansdorff Palace with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the head of the Representation of European Commission. in the Czech Republic, ambassadors from European countries, and numerous guests.

TLUMOČENÍ DO ČESKÉHO ZNAKOVÉHO JAZYKA

This year, cooperation with organisations for the deaf continued. Interpretation was provided by the organisation KukátkOO, with co-organisers including Pevnost, the Czech Union of the Deaf and the Institute of Czech and Deaf Studies , Faculty of Arts, Charles University.

At five reading locations, two readings were interpreted into Czech Sign Language throughout the evening. A guided tour was also prepared for the deaf participants. A positive development is that compared to last year, the interest in Literature Night among the deaf community has significantly increased.

Additionally, on four reading locations, mini-courses on the basics of Czech Sign Language were available to hearing visitors during the breaks between readings.

On the project‘s website, a section for the deaf was again created, featuring video invitations to selected readings of the text excerpts. In addition to information, it also included videos about the books and authors in Czech Sign Language.

VOLUNTEERS - ASSISTANTS AT READING LOCATIONS

The role of volunteers / assistants at the reading locations was demanding again this year, not only due to the uniqueness of many venues hosting the readings but also because of the organisation required for locations featuring Czech Sign Language interpretation and minicourses. Their duties included setting up and marking reading locations, coordinating the arrival and departure of visitors, occasionally introducing readings, and collaborating with venue hosts as well as EUNIC colleagues, among other tasks.

This role required commitment and independence from the volunteers. The team of 50 assistants, spanning various age groups, delivered remarkable work. Thanks to their significant contribution and the efforts of their coordinator, the Literature Night 2024 ran smoothly and with dignity. Oversight of individual locations was also provided by the Cultural Diplomacy Department of the Czech Centres.

PROGRAMME OF THE LITERATURE NIGHT IN PRAGUE

READINGS PLACES IN PRAGUE

COUNTRIES

READINGS PLACES IN PRAGUE

COUNTRIES

CITIES IN CZECHIA

In 2024, 86 cities across the Czech Republic participated in the Literature Night project. The event is organized by libraries, other cultural institutions, and associations. Some cities and venues have held the event multiple times, while others are gradually joining in. Local organisers typically join based on an invitation from the SKIP (Association of Czech Library and Information Professionals of the Czech Republic) or individually. Given the number of participating cities and the popularity of the event, Literature Night has become the most widespread European cultural event across Czechia.

Due to flooding, the event did not take place in seven locations.

CENTRAL BOHEMIAN REGION

SOUTH BOHEMIAN REGION

PLZEŇ REGION

KARLOVY VARY REGION

ÚSTÍ REGION

LIBEREC REGION

HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ REGION

PARDUBICE REGION

VYSOČINA REGION

SOUTH MORAVIAN REGION

OLOMOUC REGION

ZLÍN REGION

MORAVIAN-SILESIAN REGION

REGION OF THE CITY OF PRAGUE

CENTRAL BOHEMIAN REGION

SOUTH BOHEMIAN REGION

PLZEŇ REGION

KARLOVY VARY REGION

ÚSTÍ REGION

LIBEREC REGION

HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ REGION

PARDUBICE REGION

VYSOČINA REGION

SOUTH MORAVIAN REGION

OLOMOUC REGION

ZLÍN REGION

MORAVIAN-SILESIAN REGION

REGION OF THE CITY OF PRAGUE

LITERATURE NIGHT ABROAD

Literature Night is one of the network projects of the Czech Centres. It is regularly joined by a number of European and non-European cities through Czech Centres abroad. In 2024, it was also organized by some of the Czech Republic’s diplomatic missions. In 2024, the event took place in 9 countries across 3 continents organized or participated in by the Czech Centres and diplomatic missions in Amsterdam, Bratislava, Budapest, Cairo, Munich, New York, Tel Aviv, and Hong Kong.

For inclusion in the project, reading contemporary literature and collaboration with EUNIC are required.