4-3-2-1
(19th Year)

Veronika Dianišková

Veronika Dianišková (1986, Bratislava) studied theater direction and dramaturgy at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava. She excels in her ability to incisively capture intimate as well as social themes with subtle irony and a remarkable sense for detail. She debuted with the collection Labyrint okolo rúk (Labyrinth Around Hands, 2006) and is the author of the poetry collection Správy z nedomovov (News from Non-homes, 2017) and the prose work Pirátske rozprávky (Pirate Fairy Tales, 2020). The author’s most recent works include the collection titled Zmena skupenstva (Change of State, 2023) and Túlačky s Beckom (Wanderings with Beck, 2024).¹

Veronika Šikulová

Veronika Šikulová (1967, Modra) is a prose writer, poet, and columnist known for her distinctive language, which combines strong emotionality with a plain, often autobiographical dimension. Her work is dominated by themes of memory, family, and the female experience, as demonstrated in her award-winning book Domček jedným ťahom (A Little House in One Stroke, 2011), for which she received the Anasoft Litera prize. She studied journalism at the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University in Bratislava. She has worked as a journalist and is currently employed at the Small Carpathian Library in Pezinok. Her works such as Tremolo ostinato (a novel-non-novel, 2020), Líštičky majú rady teplo (Foxes Like Warmth, short stories about nature, 2022), Záhradky (Vyvolávanie) (Little Gardens (The Developing)) – an essay and photographs from 2023 – or the anticipated title Svet je kvet (The World is a Flower, 2025) continue in an experimental-poetic direction. The author’s most recent literary achievements include the novel Nedeľné popoludnie na ostrove La Grande Jatte (Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, 2025) and a prose work for youth titled Strom života (The Tree of Life, 2025).²

Lukáš Cabala

Lukáš Cabala (born 1986 in Trenčín) is a prominent figure in contemporary Slovak literature, known for his unique style that blends magical realism with an introspective look at everyday life. His works often feature elements of absurdity and humor, seamlessly intertwining reality with fiction. His native Trenčín and its surroundings frequently serve as the setting for his stories. His debut novella, Satori v Trenčíne (Satori in Trenčín 2020), was nominated for the Anasoft litera 2021 award. He is also the author of children’s books such as Jeseň v lese (Autumn in the Forrest, 2023) and Život v Malinových horách (Life in Raspberry Mountains, 2025). Cabala’s latest novel is Leto postávalo v horúcom vzduchu (Summer Lingered in the Hot Air, 2025).³

Barbora Hrínová

Barbora Hrínová (1984, Bratislava) is a prose writer, screenwriter, and educator who focuses her work on exploring identity, interpersonal relationships, and the everyday challenges of contemporary individuals. Her characters are authentic, often found on the margins of society, and struggle with a sense of misunderstanding. She debuted with the acclaimed collection of short stories, Jednorožce (Unicorns, 2020), which won both the Anasoft litera 2021 award and the René – Anasoft litera Gymnasium Students’ Award. In her novel Plachý dom (Shy House, 2025), she utilizes her keen eye for detail and ability to capture the fragility of human emotions. Her works offer a deep insight into the complexity of human existence and the challenges of the modern world.⁴

Silvester Lavrík

Silvester Lavrík (born 1964 in Spišský Štiavnik) is a writer, playwright, director, and publicist known for his historical novels as well as his contemporary socio-critical prose. In his works, he often connects personal stories with major historical turning points, as seen in his novel Nedeľné šachy s Tisom (Sunday Chess with Tiso 2016). He debuted with the collection of short stories Allegro barbaro (2002), followed by other prose works such as Zlodeji (Thieves, 2005) and Perokresba (Pen Drawing 2006), which was shortlisted for the Anasoft litera 2007 award, as was his novel Zu (2011) in 2012. Lavrík is a prominent intellectual voice who brings an analytical perspective and a strong ethos to literature.⁵

Ivan Štrpka

Ivan Štrpka (born 1944 in Hlohovec) is one of the most significant figures in Slovak modernist and postmodernist poetry. He was a member of the legendary Trnava group Osamelí bežci (Lonely Runners) and has long influenced Slovak literary thought. He studied Slovak and Spanish at the Faculty of Arts, Comenius University. He worked as an editor and dramaturg. He is the author of collections such as Krátke detstvo kopijníkov (Short Childhood of Spearmen 1969), Pred premenou (Before the Transformation, 1982), Fragment (rytierskeho) lesa (Fragment of a (Knightly) Forest, 2016), and Kam plášť, tam vietor (Where the Cloak Is, There the Wind Is, 2018), among many others. His latest collections, including Hermovská chôdza (Hermetic Walk, 2022), delve into philosophical, esoteric-symbolic themes, combining sophisticated language and poetic imagery. He wrote song lyrics for Dežo Ursiny and, in addition to poetry, currently dedicates himself to essay writing and translation.⁶

Alena Sabuchová

Alena Sabuchová (born 1989 in Ružomberok) is a prominent figure in contemporary Slovak literature, a prose writer and screenwriter who has received several significant literary awards. Her works are characterized by precise environmental depiction, authentic characters, and a delicate magical atmosphere. She studied film and television screenwriting and dramaturgy at the Academy of Performing Arts (VŠMU) in Bratislava. For her literary debut, Zadné izby (Back Rooms, 2016), she received both the Ivan Krasko Award and the Tatra Bank Foundation Award in the Young Creator category. Her novel Šeptuchy (Whisperers, 2019) earned her the Anasoft litera 2020 award, the Ján Johanides Award 2020, the René Award 2021, and the Panta Rhei Readers’ Award. In her works, Sabuchová presents authentic, contrasting stories with sensitive insight into female characters and into environments that strangely live and breathe with their own magical reality.⁷

Daniela Kapitáňová

Daniela Kapitáňová (born 1956 in Komárno) is a writer, feuilletonist, editor, and creative writing lecturer. Her education in directing at DAMU and her experience in radio and theater have shaped her diverse literary career. She gained renown for her cult novel Samko Tále: Kniha o cintoríne (Samko Tále: A Book About the Cemetery, 2000), which, with its original style and ironic perspective, offers a portrayal of Slovak petit bourgeois society. The entertaining detective narrative about a remarkable murder investigation in a hidden Slovak village is presented in her book Vražda v Slopnej (Murder in Slopná, 2008). Her work is characterized by satirical detachment, intellect, and exceptional storytelling talent.⁸

Sources
¹ litcentrum.sk/autor/veronika-dianiskova/zivotopis-autora
² slovart.sk/autori/veronika-sikulova
³ anasoftlitera.sk/main/anasoft-litera/autori/cabala-lukas
⁴ litcentrum.sk/autor/barbora-hrinova
⁵ anasoftlitera.sk/main/anasoft-litera/autori/lavrik-silvester
⁶ litcentrum.sk/autor/ivan-strpka/komplexna-charakteristika-tvorby
⁷ anasoftlitera.sk/main/anasoft-litera/autori/sabuchova-alena
⁸ litcentrum.sk/autor/daniela-kapitanova/zivotopis-autora