Masaryk University Press' Books for FestivAL100
Ten countries, four continents, one extraordinary literary legacy.
Masaryk University Press is taking part in the international festival FestivAL100, marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of writer, journalist, screenwriter, and Holocaust survivor Arnošt Lustig (1926–2011). Bringing together ten countries across four continents, the festival uses literature, the arts, education, and public debate to highlight Lustig’s humanist legacy – his enduring commitment to freedom, justice, dignity, and moral responsibility.
Together with other leading Czech publishers, including Grada, Prostor, Novela bohemica, and the Municipal Library of Prague, Masaryk University Press is contributing to a jubilee publishing project dedicated to Lustig’s work. The series will include new editions of short stories, novels, and essays, as well as audiobooks and digital editions. A major highlight will be the publication of Three from Jerusalem, a collection of previously unpublished short stories from Lustig’s early writing, scheduled for release in March 2026.
The book Three from Jerusalem will be officially launched on 17 March 2026 at the Moravian Library in Brno, accompanied by a staged reading. As part of the official FestivAL100 programme, the event will offer not only a literary experience but also an opportunity to reflect on the lesser-known beginnings of Lustig’s work.
Throughout 2026, Masaryk University Press will also publish a facsimile edition of the first 1962 edition of the novel Dita Saxová, as well as the novella Porgess, further contributing to the long-term preservation and accessibility of Arnošt Lustig’s literary legacy for future generations of readers.
Held under the patronage of the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, and numerous other distinguished institutions and public figures, FestivAL100 will present a rich, multi-genre programme in the Czech Republic and abroad, including exhibitions, theatre and film productions, educational workshops, and literary competitions for students.
Masaryk University Press is proud to be part of this exceptional initiative, which connects literature, memory, and contemporary society.