Introduction

The year of 2025 marks a significant milestone in the history of the Young Forum for Slavic Literary Studies (JFSL). The 20th anniversary conference honors the long-standing tradition of exchange among emerging Slavists and provides new impulses for the investigation of cultural dynamics in (South-)Eastern Europe. Since its founding in 1996, the JFSL has been offering an established platform for early career researchers in literature, cultural studies and related disciplines. We are especially proud and grateful that the anniversary conference took place from 10 to 12 September 2025 at the University of Giessen, where researchers presented their projects to a broad and enthusiastic audience.