Kolkata, January 2026:
The Delegation of the European Union to India hosted internationally acclaimed Slovak author Lukáš Cabala at the Kolkata Literary Meet 2026, reinforcing its commitment to cultural exchange and literary dialogue between Europe and India.
Nominated for the 2025 European Union Prize for Literature and the prestigious Anasoft Litera Prize, Lukáš Cabala is widely recognised as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Slovak literature. His writing is noted for its deep philosophical undertones and its sensitive exploration of memory, time, place, and narrative form.
At the festival, Cabala participated in a thought-provoking session titled “Time, Space and the Restless Narrator: Philosophy and the Storyteller.” He was in conversation with writer and literary commentator K. Sridhar, with the session expertly moderated by Supriya Chaudhuri, eminent literary scholar, critic, and former Professor of English at Jadavpur University.
During the discussion, Cabala spoke at length about his acclaimed novel Spomenieš si na Trenčín? (Will You Remember Trenčín?), a work that seamlessly weaves together past and present while exploring themes of memory, identity, and the meaning of home. The novel forms the concluding part of a loose trilogy, featuring characters who drift through both the historical and imagined landscapes of the city of Trenčín. He also offered insights into his latest book, Leto postávalo v horúcom vzduchu (Summer Was Standing Around in Hot Air), further highlighting his evolving literary concerns.
Expressing his appreciation for the platform, Lukáš Cabala said, “I am delighted to be participating in the Kolkata Literary Meet. Literature festivals like this create a rare and valuable space for dialogue, where writers and readers from different cultures come together to share ideas shaped by memory, place, and experience. Such exchanges ensure that literature continues to grow and remain relevant across borders.”
Through initiatives such as this, the Delegation of the European Union to India continues to strengthen cultural ties, promote creative exchange, and foster meaningful people-to-people connections between Europe and India, using literature as a powerful bridge between cultures.
