Marek Šindelka is one of the greatest contemporary Czech writers. His body of work comprises novels, poetry collections and a graphic novel, for which he has received numerous awards. With his novels Anna in kaart gebracht (2017), Materiaalmoeheid (2018) and Klimaatverdriet (2020), he consistently puts his finger on a social wound, ranging from the climate to the refugee crisis. In his latest novel, Systemen van Tederheid – due out in August – he explores the relationship between language and technology. He demonstrates how closely the worlds of music, programming, human bodies and relationships are intertwined.

During this conversation, he will present his new book. Afterwards, Bosse Provoost, Dalilla Hermans, Helena Maes and Silke Van Rompaey will join in for a broader discussion on the state of the world, a correspondence with Marek Šindelka and how we wish to shape the future. With Astrid Haerens – curator of Ecopolis2025 – as moderator.

Correspondence

In connection with this double bill, we are organising a literary prelude. Kortrijk Library and city poet Myriem El-Kaddouri have selected writers Helena Maes and Silke Van Rompaey to exchange letters with Marek Šindelka this spring. An author was also chosen by ILFU (International Literature Festival Utrecht): Sarah Van Vliet. They are entirely free to choose what they write about. They will receive literary feedback from multidisciplinary storyteller Dalilla Hermans. Edgar De Bruin, the regular translator of Šindelka’s work and active as a translator of Czech literature into Dutch since the late 1980s, will translate the letters into Czech.