Hviezdoslav: an anti-war voice from Central Europe

Join us at a reception in the Masaryk Room to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Slovak poet Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav and explore some of the Library’s most recent acquisitions of Central European literature in English translation.

Step back into the turbulent time of August - September 1914 through Hviezdoslav's powerful anti-war sonnets, translated by John Minahane. Although Hviezdoslav represents one of the leading literary figures in Slovak literature, he remains largely unknown outside of his homeland. This event organised by UCL SSEES Library in collaboration with UCL SSEES and the Embassy of Slovakia will allow attendees to discover Hviezdoslav and some of the most significant literary works from Central Europe.

 Welcome: Dr Wojciech Janik | Area Liaison Coordinator and Area Liaison Librarian for Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Eurasia, UCL SSEES Library 

Opening remarks: The Embassy of Slovakia

Presentations: 

• Dr Thomas Lorman | Lecturer (Teaching) in Central European History, UCL SSEES Bridging the Gap: Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav and the Emergence of Modern Slovak Culture
• Dr Wojciech Janik & Zuzana Pincikova | UCL SSEES Library: Central European Literature in UCL SSEES Library's collections
• John Minahane on translating Pavol Orszagh Hviezdoslav's Bloody Sonnets

Attendees will receive a free copy of The Bloody Sonnets. Drinks reception hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Slovakia.

* Please note that places are limited, and early booking and confirmation is necessary.

Image credit: UCL SSEES Library