Jaipur – The Jaipur Literature Festival has long been a vibrant gathering place for publishers, authors, writers, cultural enthusiasts, booksellers, and literary minds from around the world to connect, collaborate, and expand their networks. In 2025, this prestigious platform shone a spotlight on Polish literature, featuring the participation of three distinguished Polish personalities: Zygmunt Miłoszewski, Olga Drenda, and Agnieszka Iskra. Their presence deepened the festival’s exploration of global literary narratives and enriched the dialogue between Eastern and Western literary traditions.
Reflecting on Poland’s participation in the festival, the Director of the Polish Institute Malgorzata Wejsis-Gołębiak remarked:
“The Jaipur Literature Festival once again proved to be a remarkable platform for cultural exchange, bringing together literary voices from around the world. We were honored to showcase the richness of Polish literature through the participation of Zygmunt Miłoszewski, Olga Drenda, and Agnieszka Iskra. Their diverse perspectives—spanning crime fiction, cultural anthropology, and media innovation—sparked engaging discussions and deepened the dialogue between Poland and India. The enthusiastic response from audiences reaffirmed the festival’s role in fostering global literary connections, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the years to come.”
Meet the Polish Voices at JLF 2025
Zygmunt Miłoszewski is a top-selling Polish novelist, crime fiction writer, journalist, and scriptwriter. He gained international recognition with his crime trilogy featuring Prosecutor Szacki, which has been adapted for cinema, television, and radio dramatization by BBC Radio 4. His first novel, The Intercom (2005), marked his debut in horror fiction, while The Adder Mountains (2006) targeted young readers. However, his major breakthrough came with the crime novel Entanglement (2007), followed by A Grain of Truth (2011) and Rage (2014). These novels have been translated into 18 languages and have sold over a million copies in Poland alone. Miłoszewski’s success extends beyond crime fiction—his art heist thriller Priceless (2013) is now being adapted by Netflix, and his romantic “what if?” novel Will You Still Love Me Yesterday? (2018) won three “Book of the Year” awards.
Olga Drenda, a writer, essayist, translator, and anthropologist, is a key voice in Polish cultural discourse. She has collaborated with leading institutions such as the University of Warsaw, School of Form, Universität Wien, and Universität Graz, and is known for her thought-provoking explorations of nostalgia, everyday life, and modern society. As a columnist for Tygodnik Powszechny and Creative Director of the Conrad Festival, she brings a deep understanding of contemporary Polish identity and its global intersections.
Agnieszka Iskra, a key figure in the Polish literary and media landscape, serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Tygodnik Powszechny Foundation. With a background in sociology and media innovation, she has played a pivotal role in the execution of cultural projects such as the Joseph Conrad International Festival of Literature and award-winning documentary films. Her expertise in media development and project management has significantly contributed to the evolution of independent publishing in Poland.
Strengthening Literary and Cultural Ties
Poland’s presence at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 underscored the importance of literary diplomacy in fostering cultural connections. The exchange of ideas, stories, and traditions between Polish and Indian literary communities resonated strongly with audiences, creating opportunities for future collaborations. The participation of Miłoszewski, Drenda, and Iskra highlighted the diversity and dynamism of contemporary Polish literature, reinforcing Poland’s growing influence on the global literary stage.
The Polish Institute remains committed to strengthening literary and cultural ties between Poland and India and looks forward to continued engagement in future editions of the Jaipur Literature Festival.