ASEF Culture360 | Connecting Asia and Europe through arts and culture


Resources > Prague Writers' Festival

posted on

09 Oct 2018

Prague Writers' Festival

Prague Writers' Festival – Mezinárodní festival spisovatelů Praha originated in London at Keats House, where at the end of the 1970s, the founder of the festival started international poetry readings by inviting writers from Central and Eastern Europe. He established poetry festivals and readings at Keats House – publishing and introducing with George Theiner, editor of Index on Censorship, the work of great poets such as Vladimír Holan — before moving the readings to the Arts Theatre and Donmar Warehouse Theatre.

From 1983, they became the “Covent Garden Readings”. In February 1989, he brought “Child of Europe” to the National Theatre, presenting poets from eight communist countries, at a decisive moment. The Festival was broadcast on television and radio, and praised in the press. In May 1991, he moved the readings to Prague. The Prague Writers’ Festival is based on philosophical principles that allows for changes.