The annual Creative Reflections on Translation event is by now a well-established tradition at the Department of Translation Studies. This year, the event took place on 3 May under the heading Translation Skills in a New Age. The organisers of the event, doc. Mgr. Emília Perez, PhD., doc. PhDr. Andrej Zahorák, PhD. and Mgr. Eva Verebová exchanged the usual space in the Acropolis for the meeting room in the Dean’s office, which however had no impact on the friendly atmosphere permeating the whole event.

The event was opened by Prof. PhDr. Martin Hetényi, PhD., the Head of the Department doc. Mgr. Emília Perez, PhD. and doc. PhDr. Andrej Zahorák, PhD., who highlighted the longstanding tradition and successes of the event. This was further proven by the room filled with students eager for new information.

As every year, the Department hosted interesting guests, including Mgr. Lizaveta Madej, PhD. with a highly engaging talk about the challenging but all the more satisfying work of a court translator.

The Department also invited our alumni Mgr. Bibiána Lieskovanová who told our students about her work as a freelance translator, which she started directly after her graduation. In a discussion with her former classmate, doctoral student Eva Verebová, she shared many practical tips as well as inspirational thoughts such as “Where there's a will, there's a way”.

Fans of (not only) literary translation were delighted by a visit from Mgr Michal Hvorecký from Goethe Institute, who in a discussion led by Andrej Záhorák as well as in a passionate lecture about his experiences in translating W.G. Sebald and Judith Hermann demonstrated the fascinating and challenging aspects of the work of a translator.

A section on audiovisual translation was likewise included in this event. PhDr Mirka Brezovská, who is a professional in the field, talked with Emília Perez about the historical and current developments in the profession, and entertained the audience with interesting anecdotes from her everyday practice. She also offered valuable recommendations to everyone who is looking to become a translator for dubbing or subtitles.

This year’s Creative Reflections closed another chapter on a much-awaited and well-loved event. We trust that it fulfilled all expectations and fully used its potential to educate and motivate all lovers of translation. We hope to see everyone next year.