The Petőfi Cultural Agency represented Hungarian literature at the debuting SepsiBook Fair and the Warsaw Book Fair with great success

The first Sepsibook Fair and Literary Festival was held between 26 and 29 May. The Petőfi Cultural Agency took part in the event with a separate booth, and audiobook tent and various programs. In the afternoon of 27 May, editor-in-chief Éva Bonczidai held an exciting and personal introduction and guide of the curiosities of the Hungarian Culture Magazine celebrating its first birthday in June.

In the morning of 28 May, the volume of poetry titled Magaddá rendeződni (Be arranged into yourself) written by Éva Farkas Wellmann was introduced in the event hall of the Unitarian Church with the contribution of the Evilági band. The gripping musical spiritual journey of discovery was a huge success among the festival’s visitors. The event was also the premiere of a song by the Evilági band based on a new poem of Éva Farkas Wellman’s. It was the first time the author herself has heard the song. In the afternoon, Farkas Király held his book launch at the Tein tea house which also serves as a literary centre in Sepsiszentgyörgy. István Miklóssi Szabó answered questions related to his novelette titled Sortűz (Volley). A serious and sometimes poignant discussion fitting the heavy topic of the novel unfolded in which the audience participated as well.

Sunday at noon three writers of the KMI 12 team introduced themselves with the presentation called Női sorsok női szemmel (Female fates through female eyes): Janka Izer, Éva Farkas Wellmann and Gabriella Lőrincz P. The discussion was moderated by Evelin Márton. The authors replied to the exciting questions about writing, works, femininity and choice of topics with intriguing, extremely personal and unabashedly honest answers in front of a big audience.

Besides appearing at various booths, in the morning of 27 May the agency’s authors held irregular literature classes at two high schools as well. Éva Fakras Wellmann and Farkas Király talked to the 10th graders of the Puskás Tivadar Vocational High School about polite literature, writing, the writing craft an naturally, their works. The students actively participated in the discussion with interest and a few of them even bombarded the authors with questions during the break.
Gabriella Lőrincz P. and Janka Izer held a presentation titled Mester és tanítvány (Master and apprentice) about starting a writing career for the 12th graders of the Székely Mikó Kollégium.

Similarly to SepsiBook, the Petőfi Cultural Agency participated in the Tagri Ksiazki Warsawie Book Fair in Warsaw between 26-29 May with a separate booth and programs.

At the Wegry booth of the book fair, various works translated and published by the Petőfi Cultural Agency were popularized. Most visitors were interested in the works of Sándor Márai but they were keen on the promotion materials as well.

On Friday 27 May from 10 in the morning the translators’ round table, which provided professional orientation for translators and publishers about the agency’s tender and support opportunities, took place with the leadership of Dániel Levente Pál. From 15:00 István Kovács signed the first volume of his two-book series elaborating on the Polish-Hungarian relationship titled A barátság anatómiája (Anatomy of the friendship) at the Hungarian pavilion. The series of programs was ended by the book launch of The Continental Literary Magazine. During the course of this, Balázs Keresztes had a meaningful conversation with the authors of the journal, Hungarian novelist Ágnes Gurubi and contemporary Polish poetess Agnieszka Wolni-Hamkalo with the interpretation of Alexandra Bata-Bocian. The discussion included topics such as the Eastern European cultural heritage and the hardships of an overseas debut. All parties agreed that the magazine is an important platform for Central European literature where we can learn a lot from and about each other.

On Saturday 28 May, the launch and signing of reknowned Hungarian novelist Edina Szvoren’s volume of novellas titled Nincs és ne is legyen (There Is None, Nor Let There Be) took place with the moderation of Balázs Keresztes and the interpretation of Alexandra Bata-Bocian. The discussion provided us with a glimpse into the author’s tricks of the trade. Furthermore, the Hungarian and Central European tradition of writing novellas was also considered.

The two accompanying events were organized by the Agency with the Liszt Institute’s contribution in the intitute’s building.