Between 16th and 20th of October a traditional celebration of literature – International Prague Writers’ Festival was held. 29th year of this one of a kind Festival, founded by New York born poet Michael March and his wife, journalist Vlasta March, offered readings of famous writers from across the globe, extraordinary conversations on current issues and unique film screenings. “Beauty saves the world”, a quotation by French philosopher Simone Weil was the guiding idea of the Festival. Most of the events took place in the Senate of The Parliament of the Czech Republic.
On Wednesday October 16th there was a screening of The Hours in Světozor Cinema. The film was commented by Michael Cunningham, author of the novel that preceded the film
Sandy Meehan, American filmmaker and film lecturer showed her documentary “Barney’s Wall” on famous publisher Barney Rosset at the Prague American Centre
Astrid Meyers Rosset, widowed wife of Barney Rosset at the screening of Barney’s Wall. Barney Rosset fought the censorship in the 60’s by publishing forbidden writers such as W. Burroughs or S. Beckett
The Minister of Culture Lubomír Zaorálek gave an inspiring speech at the Opening Ceremony which took place in the Prague Mayor’s Residence. In the picture he is holding an original copy of Beckett’s play published by Barney Rosset that Astrid Meyers Rosset gave to the Festival
Michael March, president of PWF, talking to the Minister of Culture Lubomír Zaorálek
James Gabbe, American author and filmmaker, presented his documentary on China and India – To The Mountaintops at the University of Economics
Czech ambassador in France Petr Drulák moderating the reading of Nancy Huston
Australian intellectual Germain Greer in the conversation “The horror of the world hides behind its beauty” which was part of the Friday Gala Evening
Canadian writer living in Paris Nancy Huston reading from her novel Fault Lines
Junot Díaz, American writer of Dominican origin, had a reading on Saturday
During a brunch at Art and Event Gallery Černá labuť visitors of the festival could talk to Michael Cunningham and have his books signed. (interpreter Barbora Vrbová, Michael Cunningham)
One of the most respected philosophers of today François Jullien in the conversation “The horror of the world hides behind its beauty”
Influential Mexican reporter Alma Guillermoprieto reading from her early novel Dancing with Cuba
Arnon Grunberg, mischievous Dutch writer, had a reading and conversation on Saturday
Michael Cunningam at his book signing
Conversation “Beauty saves the world” (A. Grunberg, N. Huston, G. Greer )
Conversation “Dancing and drowning” on the revolutions in Latin America, migration and social media (Junot Díaz, moderator Maria Golia, Alma Guillermoproeto)
Germaine Greer
Czech author David Zábranský had a reading on Sunday talking about the future of literature and the world
Czech author Jan Němec reading from his new novel Possibilites of a Love Story
Germaine Greer reading from her book The Boy
Final reading of the Festival – Michael Cunningham talking to Michael March about his new novel Glory