Dorota Masłowska at FILIT 2025 – Poland at the Largest Literary Festival in Romania

In October 2025, the FILIT International Festival of Literature and Translation will, for the thirteenth time, bring together writers, translators, and publishers from around the world in Iași. Poland will be represented by Dorota Masłowska, a renowned contemporary author. Her participation forms part of the Poland–Romania 2024–2025 Cultural Season, which aims to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.

FILIT 2025 – International Festival of Literature and Translation: Literary Events, Workshops and Debates in Iași

The Festivalul Internațional de Literatură și Traducere Iași – FILIT (Iași International Festival of Literature and Translation) will once again gather professionals from the publishing sector in Romania and abroad – writers, translators, publishers, festival organisers, literary critics, booksellers, distributors, managers, and cultural journalists. From 22 to 26 October 2025, literature enthusiasts will be able to take part in five days of cultural events organised both in the city of Iași and in other towns across the Iași region. FILIT is one of the largest literary festivals in Europe.

This year’s programme features a wide range of literary events, including meet the author sessions, debates, panel discussions, literary and translation workshops, as well as readings and activities designed for children and young people. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend exhibitions, musical and performance events, and special projects for young audiences. The festival will additionally include professional gatherings for the literary sector and award ceremonies. The full FILIT programme is available at www.filit-iasi.ro.

Hybrid Performance “Ceilalți” Based on the Novel by Dorota Masłowska and Meetings during FILIT 2025

During this year’s festival, Poland will be represented by Dorota Masłowska – one of the most prominent contemporary Polish writers, author of novels, plays, and columns. Festival guests will have the opportunity to meet the author at several events. The programme features, among others:

• 22 October 2025, 4:00–6:00 p.m. – Venue: Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Building A, Petru Caraman Department of Slavic Languages, Polish Language Course – “Writers Meet Students: Meet Dorota Masłowska”, moderated by Dariusz Kasprzyk.

• 23 October 2025, 10:00–11:45 p.m. – Venue: CTP Streetcar Depot in Iași, 5 Silvestru Street – “Ceilalți” – performance in the presence of Dorota Masłowska, based on her novel “Other People”.

The hybrid performance “Ceilalți” (“Other People”), blending rap concert and multimedia theatre, takes place in the unconventional space of a streetcar depot, reflecting the atmosphere and reality of Masłowska’s novel. Set in a grey, overwhelming city, the protagonist Kamil dreams of recording a rap album and achieving success. Navigating a dark, poetic, vulgar, and dense urban environment, he moves through daily life, confronting prejudice, hatred, loneliness, superficial relationships, and love. The story explores the struggle to find a way out – or remain trapped in one’s own life. Live performers: Andrei Stan, Sergiu Smerea, and DJ Silent Disciple. Video contributors: Alina Leonte, Theo Marton, Oana Laura Gabriela, Simona Maican, Alina Negrău, Anette Marka, Viviane Havrilla, and Andreea Jurj Project realised by the Adepth Infusion Collective: Andrei Dinu, Hanna Nistor, Raul Hotcaș, and Raul Fozecaș. Translation of Masłowska’s text into Romanian: Ioana Diaconu-Mureșan. Admission is free, based on a free ticket.

Both events are organised within the framework of the Poland–Romania 2024–2025 Cultural Season, with partners including the Adam Mickiewicz Institute in Warsaw, and the Polish Institute in Bucharest.

Poland–Romania Cultural Season 2024–2025 – Intercultural Dialogue through Literature and Art

Poland’s presence at the Festivalul Internațional de Literatură și Traducere Iași – FILIT 2025 is part of the Poland–Romania Cultural Season 2024–2025 – a unique initiative aimed at deepening cultural cooperation between the two countries. The Season programme, which runs from June 2024 to November 2025, is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, with support from the Polish Institute in Bucharest, as well as the Romanian Ministry of Culture and the Romanian Cultural Institute. Under the slogan “We Share a Common Language”, a wide variety of artistic events are presented, including classical music, theatre, visual arts, literature, and design. Events in 2025 include:

• Concert of the string quintet Volosi on the occasion of the Polish–Romanian Solidarity Day,

• Concerts by Polish bands as part of festivals, e.g. George Enescu Festival and Jazz in the Park 2025,

• Theatrical performances as part of the News from Polska Festival in Bucharest, National Theatre Festival, and International Theatre Festival in Sibiu,

• photography exhibition of Justyna Mielnikiewicz in Suceava,

• Presentation of Polish design at Romanian Design Week in Bucharest.

The Poland–Romania 2024–2025 Cultural Season encourages Romanian audiences to engage with Polish culture through literature and other arts, creating a space for dialogue, exchange, and rapprochement between our societies.