Multilingual Visegrad Literature

This project has brought literary translators from across the Visegrad region closer together, creating a unique platform for collaboration and exchange of experience.

Through workshops, roundtables and literary events in Balatonfüred, Kremnica, Brno, Prague, Štúrovo, Budapest and Kraków, translators, authors and literary experts were able to connect, share knowledge and explore the literary and cultural ties that link the Visegrad region. Seminars and roundtables offered participants practical tools and creative inspiration. Together, these activities increased the visibility of contemporary Visegrad literatures and promoted a shared regional identity.

During one of the events, experiences and best practices of Slovak translators of Hungarian literature—developed through translation seminars at the Hungarian Translator House in Balatonfüred—were shared with both experienced and emerging translators working into Czech and Polish. A special day was dedicated to Polish, Czech, and Slovak translators, where they presented their work alongside authors and literary experts.

As the grantee highlighted: We wanted to focus on the specific aspect of our region, that is especially important if you want to raise the feeling and consciousness of regional identity, based on common and sometimes conflicting historical experiences. There are strong contemporary literatures in our countries, dealing with similar historical and actual experiences, without knowing each other, without having a mutual impact and exchange. Literary translation could and should play a crucial role in this regard.

Project manager of the Visegrad Fund Karolina Janik who supervised the project confirms: “I find this initiative truly inspiring in how it demonstrates that translation builds connection, promotes cultural exchange and encourages understanding.”