Text: Marika Zadembská, Kateřina Misiarzová
Třinec / Český Těšín / Cieszyn – A festival that crossed borders literally and figuratively. For the first time in 2025, the fifth edition of ČteFesT took place not only in Třinec, but also in Český Těšín and Cieszyn, Poland. During ten days from 29 May to 7 June, it offered a rich programme of readings, debates, concerts, theatre, performances, hikes and family events in the open air.
This year the festival showed that literature has the power to connect across borders, language and generations. And that the library can be brave, playful and surprising.
The festival kicked off with a reading by parish priest Juliana Hamari in the wooden church in Guty. Almost symbolically – a place of renewal, silence and reconciliation. Already the first evening at the Třinec Library confirmed the exceptional atmosphere of the festival. Radka Denemarková, often regarded as a demanding author for the audience and the organizers, fell in love with ČteFesT and promised to return. Her author’s reading from her book Chocolate Blood was complemented by strong concerts by Dorota Barová with Miloš Klápšt’ and Beata Hlavenková with Trio of Dreams.
On Saturday, 31 May, the Slam Poetry Show on the roof of STING Real Estate Agency brought a unique experience. Shortly after the epic performance by the foursome of Anatol Svahilec, Dr. Filipitch, Tyč and Sofie ended, a summer storm descended on the city – as if the weather was waiting for the final applause.
The festival opened up significantly to families. The traditional Reading at Zorymbek on International Children’s Day was once again magical. Programs with Esther Stara attracted the attention of visitors of all ages. Similarly, the ČteFesT Inspirromat seminar appealed to those who want to read with their children.
Both events confirmed that the festival has all generations in mind.
The Polish line-up was particularly strong this year. For example, the guided walk for families with children with the writer Agata Romaniuk on the trail of heroes (cats) from her books was great. A discussion about translating Polish literature into Czech resonated in the Cieszyn library, which brought interesting moments of sharing cultural closeness and differences.
Marek Toman with his novel České sklo (Czech Glass), as well as Vladimír Koren’s reading from his book River of Miracles in the Avion café, also attracted Czech guests. On the last day of the festival, the train station in Třinec was transformed into a literary salon for a while thanks to a reading by Jaroslav Rudiš from his book Instructions for Using the Railway. Then the visitors took the train and thematically went to Český Těšín for the last concert of the festival in club Dziupla.
However, ČteFesT was not only about literature. It also offered new formats and locations: a group artist on the Friendship Bridge between Cieszyn and Český Těšín, a concert by the sibling Kwartet Danielów in the Avion reading room or the podcast Buchty čtou (Reading buns).
Discussions also played a crucial role – among them, the evening debate by the trio of journalists Petra Procházková, Josef Pazderka and Petr Vizina was one of the highlights of the whole programme. And Zbigniew Czendlik’s witty and powerful programme In a Caravan in Poland remained in the memory as a moment of reconciliation and humour.
The fifth generation of ČteFesT proved that literature can be a real bridge. Between languages, cities and people. And that even in the age of accelerated digital communication, a personal encounter, a shared word and a cultural experience have irreplaceable value.
