Mukachevo, November 14–15: First Book Fest and Medieval Knight Fights at Palanok Castle

On November 14–15, 2026, Mukachevo (Mukachevo Urban Territorial Community, Zakarpattia Region) will host its first-ever book festival, Mukachevo Book Fest, at the Mihály Munkácsy Hungarian House, 10 Yaroslav Mudryi Street. The festival starts at 12:00 on November 14. On the same weekend, the Komitat NGO will organize St. Martin’s Days, featuring medieval knight fights at the Mukachevo Historical Museum (Palanok Castle) and an evening theatrical walking tour of the city.

Imagine a Saturday like this: in the morning, swords clang against shields in the castle courtyard; in the afternoon, you browse new books and queue up for an author’s autograph; and in the evening, you explore the old town with actors. That is what this weekend in Mukachevo has in store.

The Book Fest is being held in the city for the first time, giving visitors a chance to witness the birth of a new tradition. Meanwhile, the knight fights at Palanok Castle will also raise funds for the 82nd Separate Air Assault Brigade.

Mukachevo Book Fest

More than 20 publishing houses will take part, including Magura, Karpatska Vezha, BILKA, Kapibara, Old Lion Publishing House and Kalamar. Bookstores such as Knyharnia Ye, Tvoya Knyharnia and U Freida will also be there.

Featured authors include Myroslav Dochynets, Dmytro Keshelia, Yaryna Vovk, Oleksii Dekan, Danika Solis and Anna Stadnik. The programme promises book launches, meetings with authors, discussions, autograph sessions, workshops, music and theatre performances. Partners include Varosh Media, the Mukachevo Drama Theatre, the Mukachevo Drones Charitable Foundation and others.

Tickets and gift certificate

Tickets are available at fest-mukachevo.event.net.ua.

Here’s a nice bonus: every ticket comes with a UAH 100 gift certificate. It can be used towards a single book purchase of at least UAH 500. Certificates cannot be combined, so even if there are three of you, only one certificate can be used for a single large purchase.

Address: Mihály Munkácsy Hungarian House, 10 Yaroslav Mudryi Street. November 14, starting at 12:00.

St. Martin’s Days

Knights compete in group battles and one-on-one duels using shields and swords. Both men and women take part in the competitions. The festival is organized by the Komitat NGO, with Oleksandr Shershun co-organizing the fights at Palanok Castle.

Programme — November 14

• 11:30 — Opening ceremony at the Mukachevo Historical Museum (Palanok Castle)
• 12:00 — Mukachevo Book Fest begins at 10 Yaroslav Mudryi Street
• During the day — Knight competitions
• 19:00 — Theatrical walking tour of the city centre, starting at Cyril and Methodius Square

Programme — November 15

• Throughout the day — Book festival and final men's and women's duels
• 16:30–17:00 — Closing ceremony and awards presentation

The Mukachevo Drones MyDrons initiative is raising funds for the 1st Company of the combat battalion of the 82nd Separate Air Assault Brigade. If you're coming to watch the fights, consider including a donation in your budget.

Address: Mukachevo Historical Museum, Palanok Castle, Castle Hill, Zamkova Street. When entering the castle, ask where the nearest shelter is located.

What else to see nearby

• The White House, the Schönborn Counts’ Palace — a great stop between the book festival and the walking tour.
• Szent Miklós Castle in Chynadiieve — approximately 10 km from the city.
• Uzhhorod, with its castle and open-air folk architecture museum (skansen) — a great option if you're travelling through the regional capital.