PesText International Literary and Cultural Festival

Between November 12 and 14, the PesText International Literary and Cultural Festival returns to Budapest for three days celebrating fascinating stories from world literature, diverse cultures and creative perspectives!

The festival brings together contemporary writers, poets, literary translators and illustrators from across Europe and around the world. The programme includes panel discussions, exhibitions, illustration workshops, staged readings and book signings. Hungarian interpretation will be provided for discussions held in foreign languages.

Featured events:

• Thursday, November 12 – Petőfi Literary Museum

17:00 – A conversation with Ukrainian poet Lyuba Yakimchuk about poetry, war and the loss of home.

18:00 – Slovak writer Pavol Rankov discusses history, personal destinies and Central Europe.

19:00 – Official opening ceremony of the festival.

19:30 – Meet Ukrainian illustrator duo Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv.

20:30 – Opening of the Wide Open Eyes exhibition, followed by a book signing and reception.

• Friday, November 13 – Petőfi Literary Museum

17:00 – A conversation with literary translator Tímea Tankó about the behind-the-scenes world of literary translation.

18:00 – French philosopher, sociologist and writer Didier Eribon discusses social class, identity and memory.

19:30 – A conversation with Italian writer Federica Manzon about contemporary Italian literature, identity and borders.

• Saturday, November 14 – Három Holló

15:00 – A conversation with British author qntm about science fiction, technology and artificial intelligence.

16:30 – A conversation with writer Guzel Yakhina about history, dictatorship and human destinies.

18:00 – Meet Polish playwright Malina Prześluga.

20:00 – A staged reading based on a work by Malina Prześluga.

Throughout the three-day festival, the creative duo from Art Studio Agrafka will also host an illustration workshop at the Petőfi Literary Museum. Advance registration is required. Books by the participating authors will be available for purchase at the festival venues, with opportunities to meet the writers and have books signed after the discussions.

Dates: November 12–14, 2026

November 12–13: Petőfi Literary Museum, 1053 Budapest, Károlyi utca 16.

November 14: Három Holló, 1052 Budapest, Piarista köz 1.

Admission: All festival events are free of charge.

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