We express our immense gratitude to Jayde Will from the Latvian Literature Platform, whose presentation explained the possibilities and nearest goals in the field of Latvian literature. Many thanks are also due to Luciei Fialova (Lucie Fialová) from the publishing house Paseka, one of the most well-known Czech publishers, for her insight into the position of Czech publishers towards translated literature.

This meeting was a good impulse for Czech translators to start translating Latvian literature. A remarkable example is the recently published Czech translation of the novel Mother’s Milk (Mateřské mléko), which is already a literary gem in itself, but the translation by the young and talented translator Anna Sedláčková (Anna Sedláčkova) is also excellent. This translation is not only a proof of the richness of the language, but it also deserves a place in the recently published magazine iLiteratura. cz the best of it 2023 on the translation list of the year. As one of the results of the event, we can mention the cooperation and recognition gained by the rich canvas of Baltic literature and its translations in the Czech Republic.

The joint efforts of the Embassy of Latvia , Lithuania and Estonia , as well as the National Library of the Czech Republic , culminated in the stimulating seminar “Reading the Baltics in Czech”. This engaging event aimed to cultivate meaningful relationships between Czech translators, book publishers and literary experts from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Heartfelt thanks to Jayd Will from the Latvian Literature platform, whose presentation shed light on countless opportunities and future goals in the field of Latvian literature. We would like to thank Lucia Fialova from Nakladatelství Paseka a leading Czech publisher, for providing us valuable insights into the approaches of Czech publishers.

This meeting promises to stimulate new enthusiasm for translations of Latvian literature works into Czech language. A remarkable success demonstrating all efforts is the recent translation of the book Mateřské mléko (Mātes piens), a literary gem, carefully translated by the young and talented Anna Sedláčková. This translation is not only a proof of language proficiency, but also deservedly placed on the list of best translation books of 2023 compiled by iLiteratura magazine. pz. The success of the event underlines the spirit of cooperation and shared appreciation of the rich cultural tapestry woven by the Baltic literary landscape.

The collaborative effort of the Latvian Embassy, together with the embassies of Lithuania and Estonia , in conjunction with the National Library of the Czech Republic , culminated in a thought-provoking seminar titled “Reading the Baltics in Czech.” This engaging event sought to cultivate meaningful connections among Czech translators, book publishers, and literary experts hailing from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

A heartfelt acknowledgment is extended to Jayde Will from the Latvian Literature Platform, whose presentation illuminated the myriad opportunities and future aspirations within the realm of Latvian literature. Gratitude also extends to Lucie Fialová from Paseka Publishing House, a prominent entity in the Czech publishing landscape, for providing valuable insights into the distinctive approach embraced by Czech publishing houses.

This gathering holds the promise of sparking a renewed enthusiasm for the translation of Latvian literary works into the Czech language. A noteworthy achievement in this endeavour is exemplified by the recent translation “Mātes piens”, a literary gem meticulously translated by the young and talented Anna Sedláčková. This translation not only stands as a testament to linguistic finesse but has also earned its well-deserved place on the esteemed list of the best-translated books of 2023, curated by iLiteratura.cz. The event’s success underscores the collaborative spirit and shared appreciation for the rich cultural tapestry woven by the Baltic literary landscape.

Lietuvos ambasada Prahoje / Embassy of Lithuania in PragueEstonian Embassy Prague Národní knihovna ČR