For our inaugural salon, host, translator and translation expert Daniel Hahn will be joined by Ma a Hruska, author of a new book, Kafkaesque, which tells the story of the translators who saved the work of Franz Kafka from oblivion.

Come along and join the conversation about this fascinating history of Kafka's work, the act of translation and some of the greatest minds, tragedies and absurdities of the twentieth century.

In partnership with the Jewish Literary Foundation.

Ma a Hruska was born to a Czech-French family, raised in Germany and now lives in London, working as a lawyer, like Kafka. A graduate of University of Cambridge and Kings College London, Hruska is fluent in Czech, French, German, and English. Kafkaesque is her first book.

Daniel Hahn is a writer, editor and translator. Books published in 2026 include If This Be Magic: the unlikely art of Shakespeare in translation, and translations of fiction from Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Guatemala, Brazil and Chile. He is currently translating an Angolan novel and co-editing (with Padma Viswanathan) The Penguin Book of Brazilian Short Stories.

The Jewish Literary Foundation (JLF) presents the best in contemporary Jewish literature and ideas. From its flagship annual festival Jewish Book Week, to its free JLF Player streaming platform, creative opportunities and live cultural experiences, the JLF connects, inspires and entertains year-round. For events, creative opportunities, new video releases and more, sign up to their newsletter.

Our events programme is presented in partnership with Hakluyt & Company, the global strategic advisory firm for businesses and investors.

Books by the speakers will be available to buy at the event and online from our partner bookshop Hatchards.

Fee Required:
Standard Tickets (inc booking fees): £14.84
Standard Tickets for under 30s/unwaged: £10.60
London Library Member Tickets: £12.72
London Library Member Tickets for under 30s/unwaged