Svelte is a frontend framework that focuses on compiler-centered reactivity rather than a virtual DOM for better performance and smaller bundle sizes. It allows writing components in a simpler reactive way using declarative templates, properties and events. The talk covered Svelte basics like project setup, components, events and lifecycle methods. It demonstrated Svelte's speed advantages and discussed the ecosystem of libraries and community support including Typescript. Advanced topics covered included Single Page Application routing with Sapper and NativeScript for mobile.