What does Trenčín look like when it becomes the setting for literary stories? And what happens when its familiar streets, hidden corners and memories intertwine with imagination and magical realism?
We invite you to an evening with Lukáš Cabala, a Slovak writer and one of the distinctive literary voices of contemporary Trenčín. The event will take place on 3 December 2026 at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Brussels as part of the Trenčín 2026 European Capital of Culture programme.
Lukáš Cabala (born in 1986 in Trenčín) has long drawn inspiration from his hometown. In his writing, he transforms real places into a unique literary world where everyday life meets imagination, memory and elements of magical realism. Together with his parents, he founded the online second-hand bookshop Čierne na bielom and is now recognised as one of the notable voices in contemporary Slovak fiction.
He made his literary debut with the novella Satori v Trenčíne (2020), followed by Jar v Jekaterinburgu (2021). His novel Spomenieš si na Trenčín? (2023) completed a loosely connected trilogy set in Trenčín. His books have been nominated for prestigious literary awards, including Anasoft litera and the European Union Prize for Literature. In addition to writing fiction for adults, he also writes children’s books, and his work is gradually reaching readers in other languages.
During the event, we will explore his writing, his relationship with Trenčín, and how the city and its memories find their way into literature.
Date: 3 December 2026
Doors open: 18:00
Discussion starts: 18:30
Venue: Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Brussels, Avenue Molière 195, 1050 Brussels/Ixelles
Please confirm your attendance by 1 December 2026 using the registration form:
The event is organised by the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Brussels in cooperation with Trenčín 2026 and the Michal Rešetka Public Library in Trenčín.
We look forward to seeing you in Brussels!
