“Book Square” News
This year, “Book Square” will grow not only in the number of events – the pavilion located near the cathedral will be slightly larger and more spacious than usual, with 35 publishers presenting their publications, and the literary program will take place for the first time in three locations in Vilnius, inviting visitors to nearly 40 events.
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Throughout the weekend, visitors will be able to get acquainted with the latest books by Lithuanian authors, discover classical and foreign literature publications, meet writers, participate in book presentations, educational activities, and quizzes.
The pavilion located in Cathedral Square will host the “Backstage Cafe” for all three days, so book discoveries can be combined with a coffee break. Those wishing to take a piece of “Book Square” home will be able to purchase a specially created fabric bag for the event.
“We wanted ‘Book Square’ to be not only a place where you can find a new book at a good price but also a space where you want to stay, meet, and listen. Therefore, this year we are expanding not only the event pavilion but also the geography – books and their authors will spread across three different locations in Vilnius. We are glad that over seven years, ‘Book Square’ has become part of Vilnius Days, and this year we can further grow it and open it to different readers,” says Laura Tekorė, Executive Director of the Lithuanian Publishers Association and organizer of “Book Square.”
This Year’s Program – Special Focus on the City of Vilnius
From September 4–6, literary events will take place in three locations: on the stage next to the main “Book Square” pavilion near the cathedral, on Gediminas Avenue near the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, and at the Vilnius Writers’ House located near St. John’s Church.
One of the most important themes of this year’s program will be Vilnius. In Cathedral Square, the “Vilnius Album” by Dainius Junevičius, Margarita Matulytė, and Wilhelm Józef Zacharczyk will be presented, as well as the eight-volume series “Stories about Vilnius and Vilnians.” Visitors will also be able to get acquainted with the book “The Path of Radvila the Orphan, or About Pilgrims, Bandits, and Mummies” by Marius Jonutis and Eleonora Terleckienė, the memoirs of Stanislovas Moravskis “Several Years of My Youth in Vilnius. Memoirs of a Recluse (1818–1825),” and other publications inviting a look at the city’s history from different perspectives.
Voices of Contemporary Lithuanian Literature
The program will also feature contemporary Lithuanian literature. During “Book Square,” authors such as Neringa Vaitkutė, Dainius Dirgėla, Vidas Morkūnas, Ernestas Noreika, Mantas Balakauskas, Greta Ambrazaitė, Simonas Bernotas, and others will present their latest books. The program will include poetry, prose, essays, psychological literature, and experimental texts, so readers of different tastes will be able to find a book close to them here.
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Visitors will be invited not only to get acquainted with newly released publications but also to meet their authors, hear how these books came about, what questions concern today’s creators, and how contemporary Lithuanian literary texts are born.
Young Readers Are Also Welcome at “Book Square”
“Book Square” traditionally pays a lot of attention to young readers. Children will enjoy interactive educational activities, creative workshops, quizzes, meetings with favorite characters, and children’s literature creators.
The program includes meetings with Tomas Dirgėla, Aušrinė Tilindė, illustrator Greta Alice, Vitalija Maksvytė, as well as Kake Make and the Mischief Dwarf. Young visitors will be able to participate in the creative workshop “Puppy Oko’s Days,” the “Brainy” quiz, get acquainted with the book “How Čiurlionis” and other stories for children.
Classics and Contemporary Foreign Literature
At the event space near the National Drama Theatre on Saturday, literature lovers will find presentations of classics and foreign literature. Franz Kafka’s “Aphorisms,” August Strindberg’s “Playing with Fire,” Mikko Liukkonen’s “O,” Sofija Andruchovyč’s “Katananka,” and Jonas Fosse’s “Septology” will be presented at the Vilnius Writers’ House.
“Book Square” will welcome visitors throughout the Vilnius Days weekend – September 4–6. The detailed event program is published here.
“Book Square” is organized by the Lithuanian Publishers Association (LLA) and Vilnius Days. “Book Square” is partially funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture and the Vilnius City Municipality. “Book Square” partners include the public institution “Vilnius UNESCO City of Literature.”
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