The Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai, winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature, was honoured with the Medal of the City of Athens by Haris Doukas during a ceremony held on Thursday, March 26 at Athens City Hall.
Krasznahorkai is visiting Athens to take part in the first Athens International Literature Festival, which runs from March 27 to 29 at Technopolis City of Athens with free admission.
The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, stated:
The awarding of László Krasznahorkai recognises his exceptional contribution to contemporary world literature and the unique power of his work to illuminate the deeper existential and cultural dimensions of human experience. With a body of work distinguished by philosophical depth and a singular aesthetic, the internationally acclaimed Hungarian author has secured a prominent place on the global literary stage, influencing readers and creators worldwide. His participation in the Athens International Literature Festival lends particular weight to the event and underscores its international scope.
For his part, Krasznahorkai commented:
It is a great honour for me to be here today and to take part in this Festival. I have visited Greece, and Athens in particular, many times, but I did not know that there was no international literature festival. When I received your invitation, I immediately accepted—mainly because this is a new festival just beginning, one that will bring young people closer to literature. I am very pleased to meet you and your colleagues, people who have contributed so much to Athens in a different way. No one can solve all the problems of a city, but the efforts you have made deserve recognition and should be heard. I would like to thank you for your strong support of books and literature.
Who Is László Krasznahorkai
Widely regarded as one of the most important contemporary voices in world literature, Krasznahorkai has created a singular literary universe, characterised by long, hypnotic sentences and profound philosophical intensity.
Through landmark works such as War and War, Satantango and The Melancholy of Resistance, he explores themes of violence, decay, spiritual anxiety and the limits of human existence.
His work has had a lasting impact on contemporary international literature, redefining the relationship between narrative, time and consciousness, while engaging deeply with the political and social realities of our time. He was awarded the International Booker Prize in 2015 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2025, confirming the global resonance of his work.
As part of the festival programme, Krasznahorkai will participate in key discussions on the relationship between literature and politics, and will introduce a screening of Werckmeister Harmonies, directed by Béla Tarr, with whom he has maintained a long-standing artistic collaboration.
About the Festival
The Athens International Literature Festival brings contemporary literature and public discourse to the forefront from March 27 to 29, 2026, at Technopolis, with free admission.
Over the course of three days, Athens becomes a meeting point for leading writers, journalists, activists, academics, artists and engaged readers from Greece and abroad, creating an open space for dialogue and exchange.
The festival’s discussions approach literature as a field of creation, artistic exploration, reflection and social intervention, addressing themes such as identity, gender, violence, social inequality, the relationship between politics and literature, and the future of reading.
By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, the festival aims to foster meaningful dialogue between creators and audiences, establishing itself as a contemporary celebration of literature—where stories, ideas and people intersect, shaping a new and dynamic cultural institution for the city. More information is available at www.ailf.gr.
