The entire thirteenth year was marked by the message that education and culture know no boundaries – unless we ourselves erect them through our silence. To give up freedom is a tragedy, and one that we must face together. Both culture and education must remain free – nothing else is acceptable. The organizing team, composed primarily of students from Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica and, on this occasion, collaborating with students from the Jozef Gregor Tajovský Grammar School in Banská Bystrica, is acutely aware of how people think, speak, and make decisions regarding culture and education in Slovakia. The team adds that in our world, we want art and education that are free and well-supported.

UNL 2026 traditionally consisted of seven sections, but only five were located on the Matej Bel University campus. Thanks to two of these, visitors were able to explore the architecturally exceptional building that houses the Jozef Gregor Tajovský Grammar School, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In addition, the event organizers directly involved the high school students in the planning and entrusted one of the readings to Alex Predajniansky, a student in the science class with a passion for theatre, books, history, and culture. This excerpt, which captures both the beauty and harshness of life in the Low Tatras, speaks of a love for nature and the power of solidarity and is taken from Klára Jarunková’s now-cult novel The Brother of the Silent Wolf. The high school cafeteria was taken over by the iconic teacher Eva Lešníková. Just as the grandfather in Thomas Schlesser’s book Mona’s Eyes initiates his possibly sight-impaired granddaughter Mona into the secrets of works of art housed in Paris’ most prominent museums and galleries, so too has she for three decades successfully guided generations of students on their journey to adulthood, endowing them with literary as well as a broader cultural perspective.

A powerful message about freedom – which is hard-won, but easily lost if we start taking it for granted and stop caring for it – was delivered by Silvia Cochová, a longtime volunteerism activist and director of the Volunteer Center in Banská Bystrica, along with excerpts from the text The Eighth Life (for Brilka) by the Georgian author writing in German, Nino Haratischwili. A chill may have run through the audience in the woodshop turned autopsy room, where actor Michal Ďuriš – alias the pathologist Severyn – saves an accidentally shot newly rich man and reminds us how easily a person can surrender their dignity when circumstances push them against the wall. After all, Rosella Postorino also bears witness to this to some extent, and thanks to her novel, we won’t forget Hitler’s food tasters. An excerpt from the novel was read by university lecturer Eva Pršová, and in the dramatic conclusion, she stated: “All life has taught me is to survive.” American author Elizabeth Strout, from whose novel Tell Me Everything a well-known reciter, Peter Zemaník, read an excerpt, added another dimension to this year’s UNL message. Strout’s main characters also think of people we don’t even know and whose lives no one will ever record. What meaning does the life of any of us have at all?

The 13th annual event also featured a children’s section. Monika Perecárová, a teacher at Narnia Elementary School who enthusiastically guides her students in discovering the world of knowledge and imagination, read an excerpt from the book Kiki’s Delivery Service by Japanese author Eiko Kadano. Kiki is thirteen years old, and like every young witch, she must set out into the world to gain experience. She uses her ability to fly on a broomstick and starts providing an express witch delivery service. But just as in real life, things aren’t simplified in children’s books, and the path to independence isn’t always easy. The locals have never seen a real witch before, and winning their hearts and finding her place in life will be a challenge even for the brave and determined Kiki.

However, UNL 2026 has also extended beyond the borders of Banská Bystrica. UMB has become part of the EMERGE alliance of European universities, which brings together universities located outside major European cities. Their shared vision is to increase inclusion and engagement across Europe and to create a model of excellence in education and scientific research involving students, staff, and members of local communities. The focus is on freedom of movement as one of the fundamental values of the common European space. As part of cultural cooperation, this year’s books for University Literature Night were selected to reflect as much as possible the languages of the universities united in this alliance. These include universities in Limerick, Ireland; A Coruña, Spain; Rennes and Vannes, France; Flensburg, Germany; Hamar, Norway; Paphos, Cyprus; Alexandroupoli, Greece; Kremenchuk, Ukraine; and Tbilisi, Georgia. Several samples in the languages of the participating countries will be streamed starting at 5:00 PM on April 14, 2026, via the Emerge European University Alliance YouTube channel.

The organizing team would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the event and came to listen to the readings. Attendance nearly reached five hundred! Based on initial feedback from visitors, it seems that this year’s 7 x 7 x 7 event was a perfect fit. We hope we’re not getting ahead of ourselves by already inviting you to the 2027 University Night of Literature.