Programme

FESTIVAL OPENING. An Evening of Stories

Featuring writers Danutė Kalinauskaitė, Vidas Morkūnas, Daina Opolskaitė, and Augminas Petronis. Moderated by Jurga Tumasonytė. Event location – Kaunas Artists’ House (V. Putvinskio St. 56).

DEPARTED AND ROOTED

Meeting with writers Tomas Vyšniauskas and Paulius Norvila. Moderated by Eglė Mikulskaitė. Event location – Kaunas Vincas Kudirka Public Library (Laisvės Ave. 57).

RENDEZVOUS. House and the City

Meeting with writer Martina Vidaić (Croatia). Moderated by Kotryna Lingienė. Event location – Kaunas Artists’ House (V. Putvinskio St. 56). 

The event will be held in Croatian with translation into Lithuanian.

DISCOVERIES. A Belarusian Afternoon

Meeting with writers Alhierd Bacharevič and Julia Cimafiejeva (Belarus). Moderated by Marius Burokas. Event location – President Valdas Adamkus Library-Museum (S. Daukanto St. 25). 

The event will be held in Belarusian with translation into Lithuanian. 

This event is part of the PERSPECTIVES project. The project is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with its partners.

RENDEZVOUS. The Ones Who Don’t Return

Meeting with writer Ieva Dumbrytė. Moderated by literary historian and critic Akvilė Rėklaitytė. Event location – Kaunas Artists’ House (V. Putvinskio St. 56).

RENDEZVOUS. Jacob's Ladder

Meeting with writer Joel Haahtela (Finland). Moderated by Marius Eidukonis. Event location – Kaunas Artists’ House (V. Putvinskio St. 56). 

The event will be held in Finnish with translation into Lithuanian.

WORLD POETRY, POETRY WORLDS + OPEN MIC

Poetry readings in four languages. Featuring Julia Cimafiejeva (Belarus), Malachi Black (USA), Erika Drungytė (Lithuania), and Judith Zander (Germany). Moderated by Neringa Butnoriūtė. Event location – Kaunas Artists’ House (V. Putvinskio St. 56). Event will be translated into Lithuanian.

This event is part of the PERSPECTIVES project. The project is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with its partners.

Afterward, the mic will be opened – everyone who wants to share their work is welcome on stage. The parade is led by MC Jovaras Kelpšas + Jokūbas Vingilys. The action continues until the last performer. Audience-selected winners will be awarded special prizes.

Pre-registration for the OPEN MIC: bit.ly/atviras-mikrafas-25 

LIBERTY OF BOOKS

A fair of second-hand, antique bookstores, and independent publishers in the heart of the city. 

The fair will be accompanied by the festival friends’ program at the Student Square (S. Daukanto St. 28) and various locations around Kaunas. 

Location – S. Daukanto St. and Student Square.

ATTENTION: DUE TO BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, “LIBERTY OF BOOKS” AND OUR FRIENDS’ EVENTS THAT WERE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE STUDENT SQUARE ON SATURDAY WILL BE MOVED TO THE VMU GREAT HALL FOYER RIGHT NEXT DOOR (S. DAUKANTO ST. 28, KAUNAS).

RENDEZVOUS

Meeting with writer Alhierd Bacharevič (Belarus). Moderated by Marius Burokas. Event location – Kaišiadorys Jonas Aistis Public Library (Gedimino St. 69, Kaišiadorys).

This event is part of the PERSPECTIVES project. The project is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with its partners.

DISCOVERIES. Portraits on a White Background

Meeting with writer Kaori Lai (Taiwan). Moderated by Mantas Adomėnas. Event location – Kaunas Artists’ House (V. Putvinskio St. 56). 

The event will be held in Mandarin with translation into Lithuanian. 

Event partner – Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania and VMU Centre for Asian Studies, supported by Spotlight Taiwan project.

DISCUSSION FORUM

The Individual and the Algorithm: Writers’ Perspectives

Featuring writers Judith Zander (Germany), Joel Haahtela (Finland), Julia Cimafiejeva (Belarus), and Martina Vidaić (Croatia). Moderated by Karolis Vyšniauskas. Event location – Kaunas Artists’ House (V. Putvinskio St. 56). 

The event will be held in English. 

This event is part of the PERSPECTIVES project. The project is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with its partners.

RENDEZVOUS. From The Corrections to Crossroads

Meeting with writer Jonathan Franzen (USA). Moderated by Jurgita Staniškytė + Laurynas Katkus. Event location – Kaunas Artists’ House (V. Putvinskio St. 56). 

The event will be held in English with translation into Lithuanian. 

NIGHT CAFÉ

– Famous words: actor Saulius Čiučelis (National Kaunas Drama Theatre) reads Pulgis Andriušis’ Tipelis.

– Alina Orlova concert. 

– DJ Writer: Jonathan Franzen’s favorite dance music. 

Event host and director – Andrius Kurienius. 

Event location – bar Hogas (Kęstučio St. 6). 

Entrance by invitation only: bit.ly/naktine-kavine

BRUNCH WITH AUTHORS AND BOOKS + SILENT READINGS

A quiet brunch with the festival’s authors and their books, in the company of like-minded people and the authors themselves.
Event location – bar Godo (Laisvės Ave. 89-1D). 

Next to the bar, in the park, the festival friends from Ąžuolynas Library will hold the Silent Readings event. Afterward, the discussion will move to Godo. 

FESTIVAL CURTAIN CALL. Justas Pilyponis' Evening

Meeting with Abir Mukherjee (United Kingdom) and his detective duo, Wyndham & Banerjee. Moderated by literary reviewer and host of Nenušaunami siužetai (Unkillable Plots), Sara Aisberg. Event location – Kaunas Artists’ House (V. Putvinskio St. 56). 

The event will be held in English with translation into Lithuanian.

HIGHSCHOOL STUDENTS' SLAMFEST

Pupils from grades 9–12 (I–IV gymnasium) will showcase their creativity and compete. The event will be hosted by slam veteran Jovaras Kelpšas. Winners will receive prizes and glory, and two will be invited to the next day’s Open Mic event on May 9, part of the Kaunas Literature Week, where many enthusiasts will perform. 

Event location – Vytautas Magnus University (V. Putvinskio St. 23, 4th floor terrace). 

Slam participants must register in advance: bit.ly/vdu_moksleiviu_slemfestas 

More info about the event. 

Organizer – VMU Faculty of Humanities, Department of Lithuanian Studies. 

Event will be held in Lithuanian. 

UNEXPECTED READINGS IN UNEXPECTED PLACES

Ąžuolynas Library is organizing a literary route with a déjà vu vibe, Unexpected Readings in Unexpected Places. Participants will visit 4 stations – surprising locations where artists will perform excerpts from literary works. This route offers a chance to experience how literature plays with time, space, and memories. 

Registration required. For more information, visit the library’s website. 

Organizer – Ąžuolynas Library. 

Event will be held in Lithuanian.

TOUR FOOTSTEPS OF WOMEN CREATORS IN ŽALIAKALNIS

In the interwar period, Žaliakalnis was a vibrant, even bohemian neighborhood. What role did women creators play in that patriarchal context? Talent alone was often not enough; breaking established standards and worldview clichés was required. The old streets of Žaliakalnis tell stories about Marcė Katiliūtė, Birutė Pūkelevičiūtė, Barbora Didžiokienė, Ieva Simonaitytė, and other creators. The tour will be led by Eugenija Bendoriūtė, an actress from the National Kaunas Drama Theatre. 

Registration required. For more information, visit the library’s website. 

Organizer – Kaunas Vincas Kudirka Public Library. 

Event will be held in Lithuanian. 

JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF CHILDHOOD LITERATURE

Children’s books often appear soft and sweet, but they carry power and strength within them. Fairytales, fables, and poems teach us from a young age to understand the world around us. Both young and old participants will embark on a special journey into the world of childhood literature, listening to a poem by Eduardas Mieželaitis from his book Kuo būti? and an excerpt from Česlovas Grincevičius’ work Vyskupo katinas through audio recordings. 

Location – Vytauto pr. 52, Kaunas. 

For more information, visit the museum’s website. 

Organizer – Lithuanian Museum of Education. 

Event will be held in Lithuanian. 

INTERACTIVE READING EXPERIENCE INSTALLATION BOOKS SPEAK IN YOUR WAY

Have you heard of voice synthesis powered by neural networks? Would you be able to distinguish it from a professional narrator’s voice? What about descriptions of illustrations for the blind? What is a digital Braille display? New technologies offer numerous ways for a book to speak in your way. Experience them by visiting the installation on May 10 at Student Square. 

Location – Student Square (Daukanto St. 28, Kaunas). 

Organizer – Lithuanian Audiosensory Library. 

Installation will be in Lithuanian. 

ATTENTION: DUE TO BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, “KNYGŲ LAISVĖ” AND OUR FRIENDS’ EVENTS THAT WERE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE STUDENT SQUARE ON SATURDAY WILL BE MOVED TO THE VDU GREAT HALL FOYER RIGHT NEXT DOOR (S. DAUKANTO ST. 28, KAUNAS).

CREATIVE WORKSHOP HOW TO ADAPT ANYTHING

If you want to adapt a narrative from past to present, from page to podcast or screen and across modern media, this workshop is for you. Through historical examples and creative exercises, it explores techniques for preserving the language and famous episodes of literary classics while reshaping them and other story materials for contemporary adaptations. 

Creative workshop will he led by film professor, scholar, programmer and critic of Lithuanian origins, Dr. Gabriel M. Paletz, a graduate of Yale University and the first PhD in film criticism and theory to minor in film production at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. 

Creative workshop will be held in English. 

Registration required: bit.ly/how-to-adapt-anything 

Event location – VMU, V. Putvinskio St. 23, room 313. 

Organizer – VMU World Lithuanian University.

BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK

A traditional event of the Ąžuolynas Library as part of the Kaunas Literature Week. In Blind Date with a Book, books collected and wrapped by the public will be distributed for free in the Student Square (Daukanto St. 28). Residents and visitors of Kaunas will have the chance to choose a book that has already been read by someone else and given a new life, without seeing the cover, relying only on intuition, brief hints, and personal messages left on the wrapping. Readers are invited to bring their own wrapped books to the library. There will also be book wrapping workshops. 

For more information, visit the library’s website. 

Event location – Student Square (S. Daukanto St. 28). 

Organizer – Ąžuolynas Library. 

ATTENTION: DUE TO BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, “KNYGŲ LAISVĖ” AND OUR FRIENDS’ EVENTS THAT WERE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE STUDENT SQUARE ON SATURDAY WILL BE MOVED TO THE VDU GREAT HALL FOYER RIGHT NEXT DOOR (S. DAUKANTO ST. 28, KAUNAS).

THE TALE IN THE SUITCASE: JUSTINAS MARCINKEVIČIUS' SPIDER'S WEDDING

In this unique theater experience, a suitcase opens to reveal an entire performance—no stage, no backstage, just creativity! With hand puppets and a portable set, the story of the Spider’s Wedding comes to life in an interactive mini-show. Participants will meet Tabalai the Spider, who plans to marry the Sun, and other characters like bugs, birds, and grasshoppers, creating a lively theatrical experience. 

Location – Student Square (Daukanto St. 28, Kaunas). 

Organizer – Maironis Lithuanian Literature Museum. 

Event will be held in Lithuanian. 

ATTENTION: DUE TO BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, “KNYGŲ LAISVĖ” AND OUR FRIENDS’ EVENTS THAT WERE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE STUDENT SQUARE ON SATURDAY WILL BE MOVED TO THE VDU GREAT HALL FOYER RIGHT NEXT DOOR (S. DAUKANTO ST. 28, KAUNAS).

KAUNAS DISTRICT MUNICIPAL PUBLIC LIBRARY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

SENSORIAL READINGS JŪRATĖ AND KASTYTIS 

Experience an adventure blending Lithuanian mythology, Maironis’ poetry, and creative expression! During this session, you’ll meet Jūratė, the sea goddess, and Kastytis, the brave fisherman, exploring the symbolism of the work and themes of love and sacrifice. Through discussions and creative activities, we will delve into how the poet conveyed the relationship between humans and nature, mythology and reality. These sensory readings are designed for anyone eager to experience literary magic and immerse themselves in deep emotions. 

Organizer – Kaunas District Municipal Public Library
Location – Vytauto St. 21, Garliava, Kaunas District 

BOOKMARK WORKSHOP 

Would you like to create your own unique bookmark that not only decorates your book but also reveals your creativity? In these playful workshops, children will have the opportunity to make a bookmark from recycled materials, old magazine cutouts, quotes, and interesting shaped punches. They will also learn how important it is to take care of their books and preserve their beauty. Each participant will receive all the necessary materials to create their personal piece of art! 

Organizer – Kaunas District Municipal Public Library 

Location – Vytauto St. 21, Garliava, Kaunas district 

EDUCATION GEDIMINAS’ LETTERS 

Embark on an exciting journey to the times of Duke Gediminas! In this workshop, you’ll learn about his significant role in Lithuanian history and the importance of letters in medieval Europe. The highlight of the experience? You’ll get to write with a calligraphy pen and ink, just like a true medieval scribe! Feel history in your hands and become a master of writing! 

Organizer – Kaunas District Municipal Public Library
Location – Vytauto St. 21, Garliava, Kaunas District 

*The educational sessions organized by the Kaunas District Municipal Public Library begin at 10:00 AM, with each session lasting 45–50 minutes. Each educational session will be held four times, until 3:00 PM. For more information, visit the library’s website.

SILENT READINGS

On the final day of the Kaunas Literature Week events, there will be Silent Readings, continuing the Ąžuolynas Library’s summer tradition of Literary Brunches. All reading clubs and individual readers from Kaunas city and district are invited to gather in the Musical Theatre Park, near the Godo bar, with their chosen books. For those wishing to experience a literary déjà vu, it is recommended to read works by authors who previously visited Kaunas Literature Week or books already discussed in reading clubs. After the Silent Readings, we will gather at the Godo bar to discuss reading experiences and the thoughts they inspired. Silent Readings is a literary event where participants come together in a shared space, but read individually, sharing not words, but the experience of being together. 

Location – Musical Theatre Park and Godo bar (Laisvės Ave. 89-1D). 

Organizer – Ąžuolynas Library. 

Discussion after the Silent Readings will be held in Lithuanian. 

We would like to inform you that all festival events may be filmed and/or photographed, and you may appear in event photos or videos that could be published across various media platforms.