Literary rendezvous: Dystopia according to A. Huxley - Brave New World

Another Literary Rendezvous takes place as part of the 12th Ypsalon festival at Malý Berlín. This edition is devoted to Aldous Huxley's dystopian novel Brave New World.

Published in 1932, the novel presents a society that initially appears perfect: people are content, technology provides stability and unpleasant emotions have no place. Behind that image lies a loss of freedom, individuality and the ability to decide one's own life.

The meeting discusses how Huxley's world can be beautiful and frightening at once, what inspired it and which historical circumstances shaped his vision. In the 94 years since publication, dystopian literature has also been enriched by works by George Orwell and Margaret Atwood. Has Brave New World stood the test of time?

The evening is led by Adam Škrovan, a doctoral student at the Institute of World Literature of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, whose research focuses on contemporary Anglophone literature, bioethics and biopolitics in posthumanism. Light refreshments will be available. Reading the book beforehand is not necessary, as every participant receives extracts.

Literary Rendezvous is a series of informal meetings about books: a brief introduction to the author, readings and open discussion. The full festival programme is at https://www.malyberlin.sk/eventy/ypsalon-2026/.