It is with a bittersweet heart I bid you all farewell, until next time.

So, there it is. Thank you for joining me on this little odyssey in the center of Europe for some Heresy, Rebellion and hopefully ideas. New ones. The world needs them.

I have to be on my way to the airport in a few short minutes, so I'll highlight as best I can. One thing that always strikes me in Prague: time moves here, there's never enough. It is a vibrant, exciting old-yet-young place, filled with some of the most eager younger people I am aware of. Perhaps you have to come from a place that once had little hope, in order to savor the joys when it arrives. My hope is that young Prague can continue to rise, amid the noise of marauding drunkards who have no knowledge of the real history, or beauty of this place -- it's hard to see the beauty from the inside of a pub. But I digress.

First, my hat is off to Michael March, who yesterday stopped being 'Writers' Festival President' and became poet. And he read and the audience was with him all the way. Bahaa Taher, my new friend in literary acts, followed suit, and received one of the warmest applauses from an audience this festival. (all available to see at pwf.cz). And yes, I realise my syntax is a little off this morning, because I've had the luxury of listening to 5 languages simultaneously, for an entire week.

Second, my other hat is off to the young people from this festival that make it work. There is no year-round staff here for the most part, no massive corporate structures or the like, all have other jobs and lives, and they come together, and create something. These young people make sure that the local community is engaged, and the Czech writing gets fair dues alongside the rest of the titans. Things are still possible.

Yesterday, I was accosted, I'll say, by Fernando Arrabal, who I found myself in a taxi with on the way to the theatre. He quizzed me mercilessly, and handed my a card which he scribbled his name on. I tried to speak to him in French, but then he complimented my Spanish. I was confused, and did not know what to make of this man.

Later, as he gave the final performance of the festival, he spoke of Cervantes, Beckett. "Beckett, via his letter to Franco, on my behalf, speaks to you today. You make me into something, you fill this conversation with poetry." Now I get it.

It is with a bittersweet heart I bid you all farewell, until next time.

Stay tuned! 

Martin Belk

Martin Belk is a writer, and the editor of ONE Magazine - www.IamONE.co.uk -published in Scotland. He is also the Writer-in-Residence at HerMajesty's Young Offender's Prison, Polmont; and a member of John CalderAssociates in Paris, London and Glasgow. Belk is grateful for theinvitation to take part in Heresy and Rebellion - his third PragueWriters' Festival.