European Literature Night (ELN) returns to New York for its 7th annual edition, presenting an evening of voices from across Europe through discussions, readings, and performances at the Ukrainian Institute of America. Organized by EUNIC New York, coordinated by Czech Center New York, moderated by PEN America.
REGISTER
One unforgettable night of inspiring discussions, readings, author encounters, book signings, and an after-party reception. Meet 13 guests from across Europe, discover new voices, and celebrate European literature in New York City.
GUEST LINEUP
Artem Chapeye Ordinary People Don’t Carry Machine Guns: Thoughts on War – UA Alois Hotschnig My Mother’s Silver Fox – AT Ariane Koch and translator Damion Searls Overstaying – CH Gabija Grusaite The Mycelium Dream – LT Jonas Hassen Khemiri The Sisters – SE Katherine Vaz Above the Salt – PT Khuê Pham Brothers and Ghosts – DE Liliana Corobca Too Great a Sky – RO Marek Torčík Memory Burn – CZ Peter Osnos and translator Antonia Lloyd-Jones presenting: In The Garden of Memory by Joanna Olczak-Ronikier – PL Tobi Lakmaker The History of My Sexuality – NL
TIME PROGRAM
5:30 PM Doors open
6:00 PM Opening remarks by Ukrainian Institute of America, EU Delegation and Czech Center New York
6:15 – 9:15 PM Main program, readings, panel discussions, Q&A, book signing, book sale
9:15 PM Wine and refreshments, DJ, networking
READINGS
6:15 PM Ariane Koch – Switzerland – Parlor Artem Chapeye – Ukraine – Library Peter Osnos – Poland – East Room Gabija Grusaite – Lithuania – Park Room
6:45 PM Ariane Koch – Switzerland – Parlor Artem Chapeye – Ukraine – Library Antonia Lloyd-Jones – Poland – East Room Gabija Grusaite – Lithuania – Park Room
7:15 PM Katherine Vaz – Portugal – Parlor Room Tobi Lakmaker – Netherlands – Library Marek Torčík – Czechia – East Room Ariane Koch and Damion Searls – Switzerland – Park Room
7:45 PM Katherine Vaz – Portugal – Parlor Room Tobi Lakmaker – Netherlands – Library Marek Torčík – Czechia – East Room Jonas Hassen Khemiri – Sweden – Park Room
8:15 PM Alois Hotschnig – Austria – Parlor Liliana Corobca – Romania – Library Khuê Pham – Germany – East Room Jonas Hassen Khemiri – Sweden – Park Room
8:45 PM Alois Hotschnig – Austria – Parlor Liliana Corobca – Romania – Library Khuê Pham – Germany – East Room Damion Searls – Switzerland – Park Room
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
6:15 PM The Past’s Presence
How does history echo through the lives of contemporary characters? Authors Alois Hotschnig (Austria), Khuê Pham (Germany), Liliana Corobca (Romania), Jonas Hassen Khemiri (Sweden) and Katherine Vaz (Portugal) dive into their powerful novels, exploring how war, occupation, and deportation continue to shape the present.
This lively conversation will be moderated by Sabir Sultan, Director of the World Voices Festival & Literary Programs at PEN America.
7:15 PM Authoritarianism, War, and Writing
From the World Wars to today’s Russian invasion of Ukraine, conflict has shaped Europe’s cultures, politics, and language. Author Artem Chapeye (Ukraine), Peter Osnos (Poland) and Antonia Lloyd-Jones (Poland) explore how war transforms personal destinies and collective memory through their novels and memoirs.
The discussion will be moderated by Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, Interim Co-CEO and Chief Program Officer of Literary Programs at PEN America.
8:15 PM Ties That Bind
How do intimate, familial, and imagined relationships shape who we are? Authors Ariane Koch (Switzerland), Gabija Grusaite (Lithuania), Tobi Lakmaker (Netherlands), and Marek Torčík (Czechia) explore how love, desire, and connection intertwine in their novels—and what happens when boundaries are set, crossed, or redefined.
Moderated by Sarah Dillard, World Voices Festival & Literary Programs Manager at PEN America.
Free and open to the public with registration
ELN 2025 is presented by members of EUNIC New York cluster in collaboration with PEN America
