This year’s 8th edition of the Zakopane Literary Festival, which will take place from 7 to 9 July, promises to be extremely interesting. Under the motto ‘Let’s read’, a number of well-known writers and artists will meet in Zakopane to share their works and passion for literature. The festival is organised by the S. Żeromski Municipal Public Library in Zakopane, which has been involved in the promotion of reading and literature for many years.
Invited guests include such names as Natalia de Barbaro, Joanna Gromek-Illg, Katarzyna Kubisiowska, Tina Oziewicz, Agata Tuszyńska and Katarzyna Zdanowicz. These are just a few of the many talented authors you will be able to meet during the festival. The event is being held under the slogan ‘CzytajMY’, which emphasises the importance of reading as a shared activity that connects us all.
One of the novelties of this year’s edition is the holding of book promotions in the newly established Mediateka at the Culture Station. This place is of special significance to the residents of Zakopane, as it was given to them in the year of the 90th anniversary of the granting of municipal rights to the city. Over the years, Zakopane has attracted some of the most eminent artists, such as Witkacy, Kasprowicz, Szymanowski, Stryjeńska, Makuszyński and Żeromski. The city and the picturesque Tatra Mountains continue to inspire contemporary writers, as evidenced by the increase in the number of books submitted for the Zakopane Literary Award since 2016.
Traditionally held at Niepodległości Square, the City Public Library’s Outdoor Reading Room will host a variety of literary and art workshops, environmental workshops and the #ReadingHour action, which is a common highlight of all literary festivals affiliated with the Coalition of Summer Literary Festivals.This is a great opportunity for festival participants to develop their creative skills, discover new areas of literature and consciously care for the nature around us.
The festival will also include a gala at the Witkacy Theatre, during which the winner of the Zakopane Literary Award will be announced. During the gala, we will have the opportunity to listen to a concert performed by Andrzej Bienias, who will sing the words of Edward Stachura.In addition, the festival programme will include stories about Wisława Szymborska and a performance of Agnieszka Osiecka’s texts by a young artist, winner of the Remember Osiecka Festival.
In this year’s jubilee year of the poet’s hundredth birthday, in collaboration with the Wisława Szymborska Foundation, an exhibition entitled “Sto lat! Wisława Szymborska”.In addition, it will be possible to admire an exhibition of stickers inspired by the poet’s work, which were created in collaboration with students from the A. Kenar State Secondary School of Visual Arts in Zakopane.
The Zakopane Literary Festival is a unique event that brings together literature lovers, authors, readers and creators in the magical atmosphere of a mountain town.Bringing inspiration, reflection and joy, the festival encourages us all to discover new worlds through the magic of the written word. We therefore invite you to take part in the eighth edition of the Zakopane Literary Festival, which will take place from 7 to 9 July 2023 on the premises of Mediateka Stacja Kultura, Plac Niepodległości and the Witkacy Theatre. Let’s read!