And Now? International Congress of the Literary Sector in a Time of Political Upheaval

Stefan Weidner, Cologne, Germany: Giving Arabic Literature a Voice

How can we better integrate Arabic literature into the global literary world in politically difficult times? Besides inviting Arab authors, there are other, straightforward ways to close the representation gap – for example, introducing modern classics that remain unknown in the West. Stefan Weidner will make suggestions and discuss them in conversation with Samuel Shimon and Nouri al-Jarrah.

Michi Strausfeld, Berlin, Germany: On literary bridges between Latin America and Europe

Politicians establish links, mostly to secure their interests: European countries are in urgent need of Latin American material and human resources such as lithium, soya and nurses, to name a few. Therefore they try to arrange economic and political agreements. Managers and investors also seek to benefit, creating links to serve their own aims. But these bridges are often uneven, the stronger partners impose their rules, whenever they can. Culture and especially literature follow other rules, intellectuals and authors mostly have a keen longing to get to know the other, to better understand their history, problems, goals and desires. Novels and films offer a wealth of insight and invite us to talk to each other as partners. Latin American literature has fascinated European readers since the 1960s, giving rise to a genuine exchange. But since the beginning of the 21st century, this interest has declined and has almost vanished in some countries. It’s a big challenge to think about new ways to communicate, to create new bridges as they are essential to develop a new and contemporary understanding between the two continents. In culture, everything can happen on equal terms, for mutual benefit, and this is an immense advantage, particularly suited to our time.    

Sandra Tamele and Susi Owusu, Mozambique/ UK

Susi and Sandra will be co-presenting. They will explore Literary Bridges through translation with a conversation on the Caine Prize at 25 and reconnecting lusophone Africa with the Caine Prize. Twenty-five years after its founding, the Caine Prize for African Writing stands at a pivotal moment — not just celebrating the short story in English but, asking how its reach can genuinely extend across a continent of extraordinary linguistic diversity. This talk explores the Prize’s emerging strategy of literary translation as a tool of intra-African connection. The Caine Prize accepts stories that have been translated and published in English, meaning translation is already embedded in its DNA. The question now is how to reverse and multiply that flow — translating prize-winning and anthology work back into the languages spoken by African readers: from widely spoken local languages like Ki-Swahili and Yoruba as well as Portuguese, Arabic and French. Susi Owusu will share the thinking behind this strategy, the partnerships being built to deliver it — including with Mozambican publisher and translator Sandra Tamele to produce a Portuguese-language edition of this year’s annual anthology, funding permitting — and what it means in practice to build literary bridges from the perspective of an independent prize operating with limited resources but significant reach. Sandra Tamele will reflect on the importance of reconnecting Lusophone Africa with the Caine Prize, 25 years after Lília Momplé and Mia Couto were shortlisted. Having translated and published eight Caine Prize stories in both print and audiobook formats, she addresses intra-African literary circulation, accessibility, and the challenges of bridging the language gap between the PALOP (Portuguese-speaking African Countries) and their neighbouring countries — all from the perspective of a micro-independent publisher in Mozambique.

Seid Serdarevic, Zagreb, Croatia; The Book as a Compass: Literary Festivals in Uncertain Times

Online participation

In uncertain times, literature helps us understand profound change through individual lives, empathy, and the complexity of human experience. Literary festivals should not shy away from the challenges facing the world, but neither should books become mere starting points for discussions of politics or other topical issues. A festival’s task is to keep the text at the centre and create space for thoughtful conversations that deepen our understanding of both literature and the world.

Krista Kaer, Tallinn, Estonia: How to create an International Festival in a small country? 

Estonia is small and its flight connections are limited. The number of translated titles is also relatively small. When we started with the festival 17 years ago we tried to find ways to bring international guests to Tallinn while at the same time creating an audience for them. There was no tradition of literary festivals. I am going to talk about how we succeeded.

Dan Lungu, Iași, Romania: Festivalul Apolodor Stories of Childhood for Children, Young Adults, and Adults

Moderation: Teresa Grøtan

Language: English