Jáchym Topol at the European Writers’ Festival 2026

About the show

The European Writers’ Festival returns this May, bringing together leading and emerging writers from 26 countries for a weekend of discussions on literature, translation and the challenges shaping Europe today.
Among the featured authors is Jáchym Topol, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Czech literature. Emerging from the underground cultural scene of 1980s Czechoslovakia, Topol has built an acclaimed career as a novelist, poet and journalist. His works – including City Sister Silver, The Devil’s Workshop and A Sensitive Man, as well as his latest novel Hell Does Not Exist (Peklo neexistuje) – blend myth, history and dark humour to explore the complexities of Central and Eastern Europe. He is a recipient of the Czech State Prize for Literature and works at the Václav Havel Library in Prague.
Topol will appear on the panel “Stranger Things” (Sunday 17 May, 15.00–16.15), alongside Anne-Marie Reuter and Sara Stridsberg. The discussion brings together three established writers known for bold, unconventional storytelling, exploring the boundaries between reality, fiction and imagination.
Organised by EUNIC London in partnership with the British Library and the European Literature Network, the festival offers a unique opportunity to experience the richness of contemporary European writing.
Find out more, explore the full programme and book your tickets via the British Library website: https://events.bl.uk/events/european-writers-festival