IT's here and I'm nervous, IT's here and I'm excited, IT's here and I'm overwhelmed, IT's here and I'm surrounded, surrounded by people who love the same thing that I do, with those who have the same passion, who don't think I'm a weirdooo, because they're too, haha, with this supportive family that cares and that will stand in front of the camera doing whatever crazy idea I come up with. Am I dreaming? 

It's the evening of 14th May, and I'm at the Museum of Literature in Prague for the first time—shame on me. Oh God, I didn't even know about some of these authors. Shame on me again. I'm in panic, writing my list of “must read authors” and thinking about my to read plan for the next 10 years. Impossible. Just keep smiling. Oh dear, you're gonna end up in the literary hell one day, heaven is not an option for you with this attitude! Or is it? 

On 15th May, the heaven and hell phases are constantly mingling. HEAVEN - Oh, coffee for free, oh, a nice Book Fair bag, oh, I have my own tag, oh, everyone likes my Instagram stories. HELL – oh my God, what the hell is this pitching, I cannot speak any language right now, God, another story, oh God, my phone is dead, oh God, all those books around, I need them, all of them. HEAVEN – oh, coffee comes with croissants, oh, there's a perfect lunch place nearby, oh, this woman liked the book, oh, the day is almost over, and the sun is shining. HELL – what the eff am I gonna speak about out there on the stage, my hands are shaking, I want to vanish, the place is huge, the sofa is not, how many people are coming?, should I speak in English or in Czech?, the sofa is similar to the one in (the series) Friends, do I need to use the bathroom before going up there?, oh, are those my friends, oh my God, it starts raining. HEAVEN – I'm at this fancy Prague Castle place for the first time, it's way too fancy, how many people can even fit in here?, did someone say “a welcome drink”?, the whole hall full of food and drinks for free, oh, and a beautiful garden, oh and musicians, oh and… 

Here comes the 16th, we're more alive than ever. Morning at the university talking with students, then having some “coffees” with them and back to pitching and walking between book mountains. Well, I'm more alive than ever, I could sing out of happiness, oh wait, what?!, is that a guy in a monkey costume speaking on stage? Well, maybe that would be a good idea how to deal with shyness and nerves. Let's keep it in mind for next time. Wait what?! Next time? Ohh, no, no, no, no, no, better to focus on the now and not stress myself out. The other half of our crew has their debate today and as the ever-supportive teammate, I'm filming funny videos of them—making them act even more nervous than they really are. And they do, I love them! The debate is perfect, full house, people laughing, the dream, the girls are rising stars. It all went smoothly and now it's time for another glass of “water" (read: wine, wink, wink) and then off to the announcement of the winner of the European Union Prize for Literature. Wait what?! What is this. Shame on me, once more, because, what?! I didn't even know such a prize existed. Oh God. It is actually pretty interesting to hear. But… where is the free “water”?, writers are reading, they said there would be “water” for freeeee, in their native languages, my head is hurting, of course there are English subtitles, I would really appreciate a glass, and - we have the winner! Hip hip hooray.

And one more day to go, Saturday. Easy peasy day with pitching (which we've totally mastered by now) and a brunch that we're invited to. What a pleasure my dear Prague Book Fair, you've treated us so well, we're so grateful that we're seriously considering coming back next year.

Sincerely yours, favourite translator, xoxo 

Photo credit: Jan Tichý