Over 500 Literature Lovers Attend Readings of Dalia Grinkevičiūtė’s “Lithuanians by the Laptev Sea” in Prague
On September 17, more than 500 visitors attended a Lithuanian book reading in Prague held as part of the Literature Night 2025 festival. Excerpts from Dalia Grinkevičiūtė’s memoir “Lithuanians by the Laptev Sea”, recounting her experiences of deportation to Siberia, were read in Czech ten times throughout the evening, accompanied by the Embassy of Lithuania’s exhibition “Under a Foreign Sky” on Soviet deportations.
The reading took place in the impressive historical setting of Villa Lanna, with the Czech actress of theatre, film, and television Simona Babčáková lending her voice to Grinkevičiūtė’s powerful testimony.
“Czech audiences are consistently interested in new translations of Lithuanian literature into Czech, as we see each year during Literature Night. This year’s chosen text is not an easy one, but our aim is to remind audiences of the period of occupation so that the tragic history of our nation is not repeated. This message is particularly relevant today in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine and its politics of aggression, which in part stem from unacknowledged crimes of the Soviet and communist regimes,” said Lithuanian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Rolandas Kačinskas, welcoming the guests.
He also highlighted the importance of publishers and translators who make Lithuanian literature accessible to Czech readers. The Czech translation of “Lithuanians by the Laptev Sea” was prepared by Anna Sedláčková and Inese Pintáne, and will be published this November by Argo, a Prague-based publishing house known for introducing both major 20th century writers and contemporary bestsellers, while also dedicating space to historical prose, poetry, and graphic novels.
Literature Night, now in its 19th year, is organized by the Czech Centres and the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC). One of the largest annual literary events in the Czech Republic, the festival presents readings from contemporary European works translated into Czech in unusual and often rarely accessible venues across Prague. The 2025 edition, held under the motto “The Book as Refuge”, reminded audiences of literature’s power to offer safety, strength, and understanding in uncertain times.
This year’s program also marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, with events taking place in Prague’s 6th district, an area deeply marked by the conflicts of the 20th century. Readings were performed by renowned Czech actors and also included interpretation into sign language. South Korean literature was the festival’s guest of honor.
In addition to Prague, “Lithuanians by the Laptev Sea” was also read simultaneously in other Czech towns, including Trutnov, Jesenice, Holešov, and in the prison of Světlá nad Sázavou, alongside works from authors of 23 countries featured in the festival.
