The evening offers a unique opportunity to meet new talents of contemporary Central European Literature: Polish writer Wojciech Kuczok with his most famous novel Muck (in Polish original Gnój), Slovak author Víťo Staviarsky and his first novel Kivader, Czech literature will be represented by Jiří Holub and his debut for children and adults How much does Mathilde weigh? (in Czech original Kolik váží Matylda?)

The literature enthusiast and translator, Czech Ambassador Zdeněk Lyčka, will host the evening. After short passages read in the original languages by the authors, the translators Judyta Preis, Jørgen Herman Monrad and Søren Pind Jensen will read passages in Danish. A debate in Danish with consecutive interpretation will follow. A glass of wine and beer will be served at the end of the evening. With individual style, ingenious language and a special sense of humor each of the authors addresses significant problems of today´s society such as upbringing, family issues, poverty and racial discrimination.

The literary evening has been inspired by the project called Literature Night, organized by the Czech Centres in cooperation with Prague cluster of the European Cultural Institutes Network – EUNIC (European Union National Institutes of Culture). This year, the Czech Centres and Embassies in 14 European countries will participate in this project.

Invitation

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THE AUTHORS & THEIR BOOKS

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Wojciech Kuczok (PL)

Wojzciech Kuczok (* 1972) is a successful Polish novelist, poet, screenwriter and film critic.  His most famous novel Gnój won the prestigious Nike Award in 2004 and was translated into many languages.

Muck (WAB, Warszawa 2003; Danish translation Skarn: Judyta Preis, Jørgen Herman Monrad, Barter & Co, Denmark, 2009)

In the partly autobiographical novel a young man tells the story of his nightmarish upbringing in the last Communist decades in the Silesian industrial region.

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Víťo Staviarsky (SR)

Víťo Staviarsky (* 1960) graduated in scenography from the Prague Film Academy (FAMU) and since experienced various jobs, e.g. male-nurse at a psychiatric clinic or at a sobering-up station. He was published in many magazines. Kivader is his literary debut.

 Kivader (Pavel Mervart, Vista, 2007)

A story about everyday life in a Roma village in Eastern Slovakia without sentiment or moralizing.

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Jiří Holub (ČR)

Jiří Holub (* 1975) is a student of the Josef Škvorecký´s Literary Academy in Prague. Since his 19 years, he has worked within monument conservation and preservation sector, as a guide and castellan at the castles of Švihov or Humprecht. He has published in several book compilations for children and cooperates on children programs with the Czech Television.

How much does Mathilde weigh? (Knižní klub, Prague, 2009)

A story of an adopted half-Cuban boy, who needs to find out, how much his arch enemy, Mathilde, weighs. A joyful book that attracts both children and adults with its excellent humor and authentic language.