The Book Swap at CPU

Autorka článku: Lívia Kodajová

Preklad do angličtiny: Filip Sameliak

The atmosphere during the Book Swap in Nitra was relaxed and lively, filled with chatter and occasional surges of students and teachers during class breaks. Although the weather outside was far from resembling a colourful, sunny spring, we made up for it inside the Faculty of Arts of Constantine the Philosopher University with lively interpersonal or interdisciplinary interactions. While the event was carried out in the spirit of an exchange, it was by no means limited to swapping books. The knowledge-swap section also sparked widespread enthusiasm, as it offered an occasion where attendees found useful and valuable resources for their final or seminary projects. The interest in bookmarks and bags exceeded all expectations, and we were delighted to see visitors’ willingness to support the launch of a beautiful and extremely inspiring association of our colleagues at Matej Bel University, thanks to whom these events could take place.

It is necessary to mention that the whole event was preceded by a great deal of behind-the-scenes work and planning. On Tuesday, just before nine o’clock, Vanda, Vanes, and I started setting up all the necessary hardware from tables to refreshments. We had to show a small amount of ingenuity in constructing a laptop stand, but in the end, we managed to set everything up and as such were able to exchange some excited hand waves with Bratislava, Banská Bystrica, and Prešov via video call. After we had hung all the posters, the bookmarks were laid out and there was not a single book left to be unloaded from the bags, we treated ourselves to excellent coffee from our canteen. Together with other volunteers—Nika, Tomáš, and Lenka—we eagerly awaited the first swappers. 

In addition to the students, many teaching  and non-teaching staff members came to see and support us, led by the Heads of the Department of Translation Studies. They not only contributed to the knowledge swap but also provided us with several physical copies of scholarly publications (they went like hot cakes) and some terrific linen tote bags. Faculty members took pictures with us voluntarily and certainly without any kind of duress. For that, we are very grateful. Rest assured, no great dishonour befell them at the book swap tables. 

Huge thanks for the help with the organization belongs especially to the Dean of the Faculty of Arts of Constantine the Philosopher University, prof. PhDr. Martin Hetényi, PhD., the Head of the Department of Translation Studies, doc. Mgr. Emília Perez, PhD., and the Head of the Department of Slavic Philologies, prof. Mgr. Martin Diweg-Pukanec, PhD. We are also grateful to everyone who contributed their time, effort, and even small donations to make this event a reality. The entire volunteer team—you saved us!

Beyond bringing together people involved in translation and interpreting at four different universities together, it also allowed us—while working together to organise the swap—to get to know students and faculty from other departments, institutes, and years of study, thus helping to blur the boundaries of our academic islets.

Finally, we would like to thank the event’s organisers—Lívia Kodajová, Vanesa Svetíkova, Vanda Koniarová, and volunteer Nikola Oravcová for the smooth running of the Book Swap!