Sunday 18 October 2026 | 1:00 pm | Merton Arts Space at Wimbledon Library, London

£12.50 – Book tickets HERE

Event Overview

Two of Europe’s most distinctive literary voices come together to discuss the power of writing about what is missing. From suppressed languages and disappeared persons to unspoken conversations, this event explores why the most truthful literature is so often born from what has been taken away.

“Everything must have its form, its rhythm. Especially absence.” – Hanna Krall, quoted in Not There

Featured Speakers

• Burhan Sönmez: President of PEN International and one of the most acclaimed novelists working in Turkish and Kurdish today.
• Mariusz Szczygieł: One of Europe’s most celebrated journalists and the leading living practitioner of the renowned Polish school of literary reportage.

Special Ticket Offers & Discounts

• Local Residents Go Free: A limited number of free tickets are available to residents living in postcodes CR4, CR7, SM3, and SM4 (restricted to two free tickets per event, per household).
• Under 30s Discount: Aged 16–29? Sign up to unlock £10 tickets with zero booking fees! (Date of birth required at sign-up; subject to availability).

Supporters & Organisers

Supported by: The Polish Cultural Institute London
Presented by: Merton Libraries Partnership

All Information can be found https://www.wimbledonbookfest.org/events/burhan-sonmez-mariusz-szczygiel/