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On September 18th, more than 350 attendees gathered for the Lithuanian book reading at Prague’s "Literature Night." The audience was captivated by an excerpt from Grigorijus Kanovičius’ A Town’s Romance, expressing great interest in the book’s themes and the opportunity to experience works by Lithuanian authors in Czech. The reading was brought to life by a dynamic interpretation from young Czech actor Ivan Lupták.

On September 18th, more than 350 attendees gathered for the Lithuanian book reading at Prague’s "Literature Night." The audience was captivated by an excerpt from Grigorijus Kanovičius’ "Shtetl Romance", expressing great interest in the book’s themes and the opportunity to experience works by Lithuanian authors in Czech. The reading was brought to life by a dynamic interpretation from young Czech actor Ivan Lupták.

“This year’s 'Literature Night' event symbolically coincides with the 35th anniversaries of the Velvet Revolution in the Czech Republic and the Baltic Way. Culture, including literature, has helped—and continues to help—us remember who we are, where we came from, and what we aspire to be. It is a part of our identity, shaping our vision for Europe,” remarked Rolandas Kačinskas, the newly appointed Ambassador of Lithuania to the Czech Republic, as he welcomed the audience. “Grigorijus Kanovičius’ novel "Shtetl Romance" speaks to the power of traditions. This book, which reveals the lives of Lithuanian Jews in Jonava, helps us reflect on the past and allows the story to continue,” Kačinskas added.

The Czech edition of "Shtetl Romance" was published in 2023 by Pavel Mervart Publishers, translated by Jana Mertinová and Vladimír Piskoř, who both attended the reading. The Lithuanian Embassy in Prague initiated the translation, supported by Lithuanian and Czech institutions, including the municipalities of Jonava and Děčín, the Ústí nad Labem Regional Administration, the Lithuanian Jewish Community, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. The Czech Ministry of Culture also contributed to the project’s funding.

Now in its 18th year, Prague’s "Literature Night" was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic's membership in the EU. This year’s event featured 22 books from various European countries, read in unique locations by prominent Czech theater and film actors. Supported by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government Office, the Prague Castle Administration, and the Prague Archdiocese, the audience had the opportunity to listen to excerpts from European literature in Czech at prestigious sites in Prague’s Hradčany district—historical venues such as Prague Castle, Czernin Palace, Lobkowicz Palace, the Capuchin Monastery, and in the district’s cozy cafés and courtyards.

The 18th edition of "Literature Night" was formally opened at the Trauttmansdorff Palace, home to the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where diplomats, heads of European cultural institutes, and guests were greeted by Deputy Minister Jan Marian, Czech Centers’ General Director Jitka Pánek Jurková, and Head of the European Commission’s Representation in Prague Monika Ladmanová. A special reading from a novel by Ukrainian author Serhiy Zhadan, who participated as a guest of honor, was also featured.

As "Literature Night" expands to libraries and cultural centers in the Czech regions, it has grown into the country’s largest European literature event, now incorporating literature from the Roma community, the largest ethnic minority in Europe. The event is organized by Czech Centers in cooperation with the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), foreign embassies, Labyrint Publishing, and the European Commission Representation in Prague.