Marie Škrdlíková: Such talent

Born in 1999 in Uherský Brod. She studied (and did not complete) various schools at home and abroad. She works at the DROM Low-Threshold Facility for Children and Youth in Brno. She writes poetry and prose and is also engaged in journalism. For her debut Jak dlouho se spí, když kvetou orchideje (How Long Does One Sleep When Orchids Bloom, 2025), she received the Magnesia Litera Award for Debut of the Year (2026). “If only everyone who decides to become part of Czech literature had such talent as Marie Škrdlíková. And if only everyone were also fortunate enough to debut with a book as accomplished as the prose collection titled Jak dlouho se spí, když kvetou orchideje,” wrote Ondřej Horák in Lidové noviny in praise of the author and her book.