11th Zakopane Literary Festival July 24–26, 2026
11th Zakopane Literary Festival – “Stories from Here”
July 24–26, 2026
“Here” is perhaps the simplest word describing identity. It carries no pathos and no pretentious layers. It evokes memories of the meadow behind the house where childhood hours were spent, or a playground in a city housing estate. It says everything and defines everything, yet it is also fragile, because it only matters in the place where it is spoken or written. Only there does it have roots, and only there does it bear fruit.
Many stories come from “here,” especially those that have made a particular place the very essence of their narrative. These are stories that could not have happened anywhere else.
These are the stories at the heart of this year’s Zakopane Literary Festival.
We have invited outstanding Polish writers and literary experts to discuss literature and the role of place in storytelling.
A special partner of this year’s festival will be Czarne Publishing House, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026. This milestone will provide an opportunity to reflect on the development of publishing and Polish literature over the past three decades.
The highlight of the festival, as every year, will be the Literary Award Gala. Alongside the existing category honoring books devoted to Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains, a new award will be presented for the first time: the Literary Festival Patron’s Award for the best Polish book published in 2025.
Admission to all events is free of charge.
July 24–26, 2026
“Here” is perhaps the simplest word describing identity. It carries no pathos and no pretentious layers. It evokes memories of the meadow behind the house where childhood hours were spent, or a playground in a city housing estate. It says everything and defines everything, yet it is also fragile, because it only matters in the place where it is spoken or written. Only there does it have roots, and only there does it bear fruit.
Many stories come from “here,” especially those that have made a particular place the very essence of their narrative. These are stories that could not have happened anywhere else.
These are the stories at the heart of this year’s Zakopane Literary Festival.
We have invited outstanding Polish writers and literary experts to discuss literature and the role of place in storytelling.
A special partner of this year’s festival will be Czarne Publishing House, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026. This milestone will provide an opportunity to reflect on the development of publishing and Polish literature over the past three decades.
The highlight of the festival, as every year, will be the Literary Award Gala. Alongside the existing category honoring books devoted to Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains, a new award will be presented for the first time: the Literary Festival Patron’s Award for the best Polish book published in 2025.
Admission to all events is free of charge.