Exploring the Imagination: A Chat with Lukáš Cabala
Slovak author Lukáš Cabala has been nominated for the 2025 European Union Prize for Literature. His writing is deeply connected to memory, geography, and personal experience. Based in Trenčín, he transforms everyday places into intriguing settings teeming with possibility.
Cities as Living Entities
For Cabala, cities aren’t mere backgrounds. They act as characters that influence his tales. Trenčín plays a significant role in his work. It’s not just a nostalgic canvas; it’s an essential part of his creative identity. By elevating a small city into a grand narrative, he transcends its usual confines.
Cabala’s characters often reflect his own experiences. He sees a part of himself in them, especially in the protagonists. This intertwining of memory and fiction allows his personal stories to resonate with readers.
The Power of Old Books
Cabala runs an online secondhand bookstore, which gives him insight into readers today. He notices that many still crave traditional storytelling. Despite our modern distractions, the love for well-crafted narratives remains strong, highlighting the timeless appeal of storytelling.
Merging Text and Art
Visual elements are crucial in Cabala’s writing. He regularly collaborates with illustrators, making images an integral part of the story rather than mere embellishments. This approach stems from his affinity for graphic novels, ensuring a seamless union between text and visuals in his books.
Both his texts and the illustrations are chosen carefully, creating a tangible, engaging artifact that enhances the reader’s experience. Each visual artist complements the narrative organically, contributing to an enriched storytelling experience.
Writing Across Age Groups
Cabala effortlessly transitions between literary fiction and children’s literature. He believes both genres share similar emotional threads. His goal is to ignite joy and curiosity in readers, regardless of their age. Ultimately, storytelling is about the joy of imagination, not about fitting into categories.
Inspiration from India
Cabala’s recent trip to India marked a significant turning point for him. Interacting with local readers and exploring cities like Delhi and Kolkata sparked a wealth of inspiration. He described his experience as a “firework of inspiration,” igniting new ideas for his writing. The sights, sounds, and cultures he encountered began to form the basis of a new novel, highlighting the profound impact travel can have on creativity.
In conclusion, Lukáš Cabala’s work reflects a rich blend of personal experience and vibrant imagination, showing how places can shape stories and how travel can serve as a powerful catalyst for creativity.
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