Vilenica International Literary Festival

Vilenica Prize goes to Otto Tolnai

The 2023 Vilenica Prize for Central European literature will go to Otto Tolnai, a Hungarian author from the Serbian province of Vojvodina. He will accept the award at the Vilenica international literary festival in September.

A poet, writer, playwright, essayist and translator, Tolnai is considered one of the most important contemporary Hungarian authors.

Author Veno Taufer dies

Veno Taufer, the acclaimed Slovenian author, translator and editor who is credited with starting the Vilenica international literary festival, has died, aged 90.

Taufer, a native of Ljubljana, was many things: a poet, playwright, essayist, literary critic, translator and editor. He chaired PEN Slovenia and PEN International's Writers for Peace committee.

Vilenica winner points to Ukraine war

Sežana – The 37th Vilenica International Literary Festival drew to a close on Saturday evening with the awarding of the Vilenica Prize to Latvian poet Amanda Aizpuriete, who was not present at the ceremony. In her thank-you speech she raised the issue of the war in Ukraine, saying thousands of soldiers, civilians and children were dying.

Vilenica literary festival starting

Ljubljana – The 37th international literary festival Vilenica is getting under way on Tuesday. Running until Sunday, again in live format, it will feature 14 authors from a dozen countries at 15 events, mostly in Ljubljana but also in the Karst area, Koper, Hrastnik and Italy’s Trieste.

Latvian poet Amanda Aizpuriete wins Vilenica Prize

Ljubljana – Latvian poet Amanda Aizpuriete is the winner of this year’s International Vilenica Prize for Central European literature, which will be given out during the 37th Vilenica International Literary Festival in Slovenia in September. The Slovenian author in the focus will be Andrej Blatnik, the festival’s organisers told the press on Tuesday.

Pahor presents Golden Order of Merit to author Milan Kundera

Paris – President Borut Pahor bestowed the Golden Order of Merit, one of the highest Slovenian state decorations, on Czech-French writer Milan Kundera in Paris on Saturday. Kundera was honoured for having raised his voice for Slovenia’s independence and for his outstanding contribution to understanding turbulent times in Europe.