What is our relationship with language?
On the first day of the “Open books” festival, the REDA forum dedicated to our relationship with language took place. This year, the slogan “Trust the Speaker” was chosen for the forum, and well-known experts and public figures spoke on relevant language issues. Some ideas seemed new, provocative, breaking the traditional imagination about language norms, and this showed that language is a living organism and the relationship with it is constantly changing.
On the second day of the festival, “Open books” held meetings with writers, discussions, and awards. The events, which started early in the morning with a gourmet literary breakfast with Anželika and Rimvydus Laužikas, continued until the night, when passionate poetic readings took place and a tribute was paid to the essayist Rolandas Rastauskas, who died this fall.
“The festival is growing every year, its program is becoming more and more diverse – said festival director Jurga Mandrijauskaitė-Ruškienė. – I believe that the festival becomes not only literary discussions, but also a broader reflection of cultural, social and political topics, and those who come to “Open books” can get ideas and rethink the processes taking place in society. And, of course, to see what interesting things happened in book life during the year.”
Winners announced
“Open books” this year was also marked by an abundance of awards – for the second year, the literary award prize “For the beauty of a non-fiction book” established by the audio book platform Antanukas.lt was presented here, and the winner was also announced 15min annual book election awards.
This year, the Antanukas.lt prize was awarded to the artist Darius Žiura for his autobiographical book “Diseris”.
It is being held for the eighth time 15min year book awards this year they were also awarded at the “Open books” festival. The winners were: the best fiction book by Lithuanian authors – Mylimi kaulai by Kotryna Zylė (Aukso žuvys publishing house), the best non-fiction book by Lithuanian authors – Norbert Černiauskas’ Fado. A Short Unhappened History of Lithuania” (Aukso žuvys publishing house), the best translated fiction book – Georges Perec’s “Life Instruction” (translated by Akvilė Melkūnaitė, Lapas publishing house), the best translated non-fiction book – Orlando Figes’ “Natasha’s Dance” (translated by Rasa Drazdauskienė, Science and Encyclopedia Publishing Center), the best poetry book by Lithuanian authors – Jurgita Jasponytė’s “Universe sits in the wrong place” (Lithuanian Writers’ Union Publishing House), the best translated poetry book – Inger Christensen’s “This” (translated by Dovydas Grajauskas, Baziliskas publishing house) .
Discussions and conversations with Lithuanian writers
This year, the debates attracted a lot of attention, during which various topics were discussed – from politics, the war in Ukraine, why books about psychology are so popular at the moment and what people are looking for in them, to the role of literary critics in today’s world. Lina Kojala and Mykol Katkum discussed what is noticeable in the US presidential election campaign and what can be expected in the world after these elections.
“We notice that every year the discussion forum at the festival receives more and more attention, and this becomes an incentive for us to look for new ways to talk about world-changing ideas at the festival,” said J.Mandrijauskaitė-Ruškienė, the director of the festival.
Since the first “Open books” festival, meetings with writers who have published interesting books that have attracted a lot of attention during the year have been a tradition. Sigitas Parulskis, Kotryna Zylė, Violeta Tapinienė, Gabija Grušaitė, Norbertas Černiauskas, Bernardas Gailius and others discussed at the meetings this year.
A conversation about Russian imperialism
This year there was no shortage of foreign guests at the festival. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the Open books festival has been paying a lot of attention to Ukraine, and this year the discussion “Voices from Ukraine: Russian colonialism and how it tries to falsify history” was attended by Ukrainian journalist, writer, activist Maksym Eristavi, political scientist, head of The Reckoning Project office in Ukraine Maksimas Milta, and the discussion was moderated by journalist Rita Miliūtė.
M. Eristavi emphasized at the festival that what is happening now is not V. Putin’s, but Russia’s war, it is “serial behavior”, and he himself learns new facts about Russia’s colonial history every day. He said that the West must realize that we are dealing with colonial crimes, imperialism, and only the complete decolonization of Russia can help solve this great world problem – first of all, this requires the victory of Ukraine in the war, and then the partial disarmament of Russia.
Culture also plays an important role in Russia’s imperial policy – M. Eristavi said that Russia uses culture as a pretext, an alleged right to colonize and invade other countries.
Guests from Denmark and Poland
Visited the festival famous Polish writer Agnieszka Szpila. In her work, she provokes, raises important societal issues, and her books reflect the ideas of ecofeminism.
In Vilnius, she also spoke about the fact that, at least for her, books mean the need to change the established order, people’s thinking. “Writing books just for the pleasure of the reader, without any desire to change society – I don’t have time for that,” said A. Szpila. She also said that you need to defend your madness because that rage is what is needed to bring about political change.
Tine Høeg, one of the most famous Danish writers of our time, attracted many fans, and in this conversation she focused on the work “Tour de chambre” published in Lithuanian. Incidentally, she just recently signed on for a Netflix movie based on her third novel. “For the first time, I can not worry about money for several years,” said the Danish writer. At the meeting, she talked about the innovative language methods she uses in her work, the Danish tradition of student dormitory life she describes in her book, and she also really wanted to hear how the novel she wrote sounds in Lithuanian. “The sound of speech is very important to me,” said the writer.
The festival was partially financed by the Lithuanian Culture Council and the association LATGA.
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Interview with Jurga Mandrijauskaitė-Ruškienė, Director of the “Open Books” Festival
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Jurga. The “Open Books” festival sounds like an incredible event this year. Can you tell us what inspired the slogan “Trust the Speaker”?
Jurga Mandrijauskaitė-Ruškienė: Thank you for having me! The slogan “Trust the Speaker” was chosen to emphasize the importance of dialogue and authentic communication in our current social climate. Language is evolving, and we want to foster an environment where diverse perspectives can be safely expressed and explored. It encourages attendees to engage critically with ideas and trust the voices sharing them.
Editor: That’s a powerful theme. What were some of the key discussions or ideas that stood out during the REDA forum about our relationship with language?
Jurga Mandrijauskaitė-Ruškienė: One notable idea was the concept of language as a living organism. Experts pointed out how it adapts and changes with society, which challenges traditional norms. This perspective sparked engaging debates about how our interactions with language influence cultural identity and social dynamics.
Editor: The festival also featured numerous literary awards. Could you share more about the significance of these awards?
Jurga Mandrijauskaitė-Ruškienė: Absolutely! The awards, especially the “For the Beauty of a Non-Fiction Book,” recognize exceptional literary contributions and celebrate the authors’ artistry. This year’s winner, Darius Žiura, reflects the incredible talent and creativity within our literary community. Awards like these not only inspire writers but also encourage readers to explore new works.
Editor: The festival also addressed pressing global issues, like Russian imperialism and the war in Ukraine. How important is it for literary events to engage with social and political topics?
Jurga Mandrijauskaitė-Ruškienė: It’s crucial. Literature has always been intertwined with social issues; it’s a mirror reflecting the world we live in. By discussing topics like colonialism and war, we provide a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard. This year’s discussions, particularly those led by Ukrainian voices, highlighted the urgency of understanding these historical contexts in shaping present realities.
Editor: it seems that the festival continues to grow each year. What are your hopes for the future of “Open Books”?
Jurga Mandrijauskaitė-Ruškienė: My hope is to see the festival evolve into an even broader platform for cultural exchange, where literature serves as a catalyst for meaningful discussions. I want to continue to attract diverse voices and ideas that push boundaries and encourage introspection. Engaging more with international authors and expanding our themes will be key for our future.
Editor: Thank you, Jurga, for sharing your insights. It sounds like “Open Books” is a festival that not only celebrates literature but also fosters critical conversations about the world we inhabit.
Jurga Mandrijauskaitė-Ruškienė: Thank you! It’s truly a pleasure to discuss the vibrant and impactful role literature plays in our lives.
Jauskaitė-Ruškienė: It’s crucial! Literature has always had the power to reflect and critique society. By addressing pressing issues like Russian imperialism and the war in Ukraine, we are not only amplifying important voices but also fostering a platform where literature meets activism. Engaging with these topics encourages a deeper understanding and compels action among our audience. It’s about using the power of words to drive change.
Editor: There were several notable international guests at the festival, such as Agnieszka Szpila and Tine Høeg. What insights did they bring to the discussions?
Jurga Mandrijauskaitė-Ruškienė: Both authors brought unique perspectives that resonated deeply with our themes. Agnieszka emphasized the role of literature in challenging societal norms, advocating for change through her provocative storytelling. Tine shared her innovative language methods and highlighted the importance of sound in writing, connecting her literary approach to broader cultural narratives. Their contributions enriched the festival’s dialogues and showcased the global relevance of literature today.
Editor: Lastly, how do you envision the future of the “Open Books” festival evolving in the coming years?
Jurga Mandrijauskaitė-Ruškienė: I envision “Open Books” continuing to grow as a multifaceted platform for literary discourse. We aim to incorporate more diverse voices from around the world and address a wider range of topics that affect our societies, such as climate change, technology, and identity. Our commitment to fostering critical conversations and engaging the audience will remain at the forefront as we explore the intersection of literature, culture, and social issues.
Editor: Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Jurga. The festival sounds like a vital space for creativity and dialogue.
Jurga Mandrijauskaitė-Ruškienė: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing the impact and future of literature with you.