Book World Prague 2024 will welcome guests from 40 countries and regions

The international book fair and literary festival Svět knyhy Prague 2024 will give 801 performers an insight into the contemporary literature of 40 countries and regions, surpassing the previous year by a third. The program, which will again take place at the Prague Exhibition Center from May 23 to 26, will include a wide range of authors and styles. Literature for children and young people is represented by the Irish novelist John Boyne, whose book The Boy in the Striped Pajamas has become a modern classic. From exile, the renowned Russian author and human rights activist Ljudmila Ulická will be heading to Prague Book World. The Frenchman Alexis Nolent alias Matz is a household name in the world of comics, and Lars Kepler or Alex Ahndoril, which are the names behind which the author and married couple Alexander and Alexander Ahndoril are hidden, belong to the stars of Nordic crime fiction. There are also award-winning Czech writers Radka Denemarková, Bianca Bellová, poet Petr Borkovec, science fiction writer Ondřej Neff and this year’s Magnesia Litera winner Alena Machoninová. And last but not least, the star names of German-speaking countries Bernhard Schlink, Peter Stamm or Tanya Stewnerová. The guest of honor of the 29th year is the traditional festival project Das Buch, for 2024 under the name Das Buch – German-language literature. World of Books Prague is accompanied by Franz Kafka’s quote “A book must be an ax to the frozen sea within us”, and the fair commemorates the centenary of the birth of this world-famous writer from Prague with a series of events. The established Literature as a Voice of Freedom section will provide a space for those who cannot speak freely, and the program supporting children’s reading is also continuing.

The world of books in numbers

The offer of World of Books Prague 2024 is even wider than that of the previous year. “The number of exhibitors, programs and performers increased by ten to fifteen percent – visitors can look forward to 801 performers participating in 482 programs and 415 exhibitors. Compared to last year’s thirty countries and regions, this year exactly forty are presented at the Book World Prague,” comments festival director Radovan Auer, adding “This can clearly be related to the fact that we managed to coordinate the guesting of German-language literature with the preparation of the Czech guesting in Frankfurt. The Czech book market is now in the forefront of interest, and we must try to make the most of it.” Among the guests, Germany, Switzerland and Austria have an honorable position, because this year’s guest of honor is the literary program Das Buch – German-language literature. The attention paid to the wealth of German written work across genres and topics is further strengthened by the participation of the Frankfurt Book Fair, led by the president of this prestigious fair, Juergen Boos. The link between the German-speaking area and Prague is also the subsequent commemoration of the centenary of the death of the writer Franz Kafka. The program will offer talks about Kafka’s work and the inspirations that draw from it. The opening concert of the Kafka Band for the public on May 23 promises an extraordinary musical experience.

The main stars of the 29th edition

However, the program will be filled with star names from all over the world. An Irish novelist will visit the fair this year John Boyne, who rightly ranks among the most successful writers of his generation. His most famous book has become a modern classic Boy in striped pajamas. The insight into the atrocities of the concentration camp through the eyes of the commandant’s young son was adapted for film, theatre, opera and ballet. But Boyne is the author of a total of twenty novels for adults and younger readers, his most recent prose collection The Elements will be published in Czech in autumn. On May 23, John Boyne will participate in a debate with illustrator Marto Kelbl about an LGBTQ+ publication that is also suitable for children at Prague Book World 2024. One of the most recognized contemporary Russian writers Ludmila Ulicka will come to World Book Prague from German exile. The writer, who is also known for her activism and social commentary, has been living in Berlin since 2021. Ulická is a master storyteller, appreciated for her deep insight into human nature and morality, thanks to which she is able to present a polished picture of Russian society. Her novels received widespread recognition and awards from critics Medea and her children, A funeral feast and Daniel Stein, translator. He will reveal his unique perspective on literature, life and the state of humanity to the visitors of World of Books Prague at the meeting on May 25. A day later, he meets a writer of Armenian origin who writes in Russian Narine Abgarjanova, to lead a debate about culture on the fringes. That is, about storytelling, cultural identity and the role of literature in shaping and perhaps even saving society. Narine Abgarjanová’s prose is connected with the simple, poetic, but also tragic world of Armenia, her novel was especially successful among Czech readers Three apples fell from the sky. Another guest this year Alexis Nolent spent his childhood on Martinka and grew up in Paris. He admittedly uses two identities when creating – under his civil name he published a novel and invents video game scenarios, under the pseudonym Matz he writes comics at night. The most famous comic titles from his work include the series Killer, in San Diego, twice nominated for the Will Eisner Award in the category Best Foreign Comic Book Published in the USA. Czech translations will complete the publication of the last volumes this year. The married couple Alexandra Coelho Ahndorilová and Alexander Ahndoril also use pseudonyms. In their home country of Sweden, they were named the best-selling authors of the decade for a series of crime bestsellers starring Commissioner Joona Linna, which they wrote together under the name Lars Kepler. However, he will re-enter under his other pseudonym at the Prague Book World Alex Ahndoril. On Saturday, May 25, he will tell readers what made them go on the next crime tracks in the trilogy of classic detective stories. Czech fans of the suspenseful genre will get the second part this year I close my eyes in prayer.

German, Swiss and Austrian creations

Thanks to the guest of honor, the Das Buch program, authors from German-speaking countries are strongly represented at the 29th edition. The award in two of these countries goes to an Austrian novelist To Toni Schachingerwho for his novel Echtzeitalter received the German Book Prize. Austrian draftsman and illustrator Nicolas Mahler is known to Czech readers thanks to comic adaptations of famous literary works or as a co-creator of comics Night walkerswhich he published together with Jaroslav Rudiš. “The book must be an ax to the frozen sea in us” – one of the greatest contemporary Swiss writers then reflects on Kafka’s quote, which accompanies this year’s motto as a motto Peter Stamm. A graphic designer will head from Zurich to Prague Nando von Arb. The contemporary literature of our closest western neighbor will be approached by a German lawyer and, above all, a famous novelist Bernhard Schlink. His novel became a literary phenomenon Precomputer, also known from the Oscar-winning film with Kate Winslet. A number of his prose works, most recently a novel, reached Czech readers Granddaughter set against the backdrop of a divided and re-united Germany. Bernhard Schlink will talk about his work on May 25 at the Book World Prague. Comics author Josephine Mark she bases her work for young people on a combination of different emotions, and she also creates a German for children Tanya Stewner, which is an engaging fantasy novel series to read Alea – girl of the sea. In addition to the Das Buch stand, German-language book production will also be presented thanks to the participation of the Frankfurt Book Fair in an exhibition under the name German Stories.

do not miss

The Prague World Book Festival program also offers a powerful story of a North Korean refugee Then Jihyeon. Memories of life in the DPRK and attempts to escape from the heavily guarded totalitarian country will be shared during a debate in which a South Korean writer also participates Che Serin. She wrote the story of a woman who today works as a politician and human rights activist in a book My life in North Korea. The serious social topic of gender and identity will be developed by a French writer during the debate Pauline Delabroy-Allardknown for the novel That’s Sarah and feminist exploration of LGBTQ+ rights. The close relationship with the Czech Republic and the Czechs is reflected in the books of an important representative of the Polish school of literary reportage Mariusz Szczygieł. His return to Prague Book World is connected with the presentation of his latest title The facts must dance, which is a confession of the genre of literary reportage. The program of the 29th year cannot miss important names and works of contemporary Czech literature. Four-time winner of the Magnesia Litera awards Radka Denemarková will talk about his latest novel Chocolate bloodin which he talks about the freedom of women, the ruthless power of money and the invisibility of poverty. Bianca Bell in the short story file Transfer artfully connected ordinary and at the same time remarkable human destinies, Alexey Sevruk again through the memories of his grandmother in the novel European woman he glimpsed the impact of the great histories of Eastern Europe. Russian woman Alena Machoninová impressed the jury of the 2023 Magnesia Litera award with autofictional prose Helloin which he searches for the fate of the Czech Jew Helena Frischerová. Kateřina Bursíková Jacques and Kateřina Procházková will introduce the book Dalai Lama and Havel dedicated to two personalities whose friendship also reflects the post-revolutionary development of Czech-Tibetan relations. Visitors to the festival will also be able to personally meet the “faces” of Czech Television programs or the “voices” of Czech Radio.

Literature as the voice of freedom

“The Literature as a Voice of Freedom section will once again highlight authors fighting for freedom. The related Jiří Theiner Award, intended for authors who support the ideal of freedom with their work or life, will be awarded by Svět knihy Praha Elif Şafakand now already during the ceremonial opening of the fair,” explains festival dramaturg Guillaume Basset. The Turkish writer, storyteller and outspoken defender of human rights and freedom of speech is not afraid of controversial topics of identity, culture, politics or gender in her engaging texts.

The accompanying program will also focus on live literature, including slam poetry. This year’s novelty is the naming of the program halls in honor of important Czech authors, including Franz Kafka. In the Hall of Pavel Šrut, visitors will find inspiring book production for children and young people, Svět knihy Praha, in cooperation with the Growing with the Book campaign, continues to support children’s reading. As part of the program, it is also being developed under the brand name Central and East European Book Market building a new international platform for representatives from the book industry interested in the region of Central and Eastern Europe. This year, 90 industry professionals will participate in the project.

The program of the 29th year and publishers’ presentations will welcome visitors to the Book World Prague from May 23 to 26 in the Výstaviště Prague area with the newly located Hall A on Bruselská cesta and in the Křižík pavilions. Tickets can be purchased on the Prague Book World website.

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