Elif Shafak Will Be Unable to Attend the Vilenica Festival

Turkish-British author Elif Shafak has cancelled her participation at this year’s Vilenica Festival, which will take place from 1 to 5 September.

One of the most prominent contemporary European writers, Shafak informed the festival organisers that, due to the intensive work on her new novel, scheduled for publication in autumn 2026, she will unfortunately be unable to attend the festival.

Her new novel, In One Brief Moment All Eternity, will be published this October, and its final preparations currently require her full creative attention.

The organisers of the Vilenica Festival were very much looking forward to welcoming Elif Shafak. While we are disappointed that she will not be able to join us, we fully understand and respect her decision, and we wish her every success with the completion of her new book.

Photo: Ebru Bilun