European Literature Night: The Writers

There’s a whole world of literary talent that we Brits often overlook. Six years ago European Literature Night was established to counter this cultural insularity, and showcase the wealth of talent in writing and translation. Emerging and established talents from different countries join together to discuss their work and literary experience.

This year’s writers represent six languages and an array of genres. Jonas T. Bengtsson exploded onto the Danish literary scene with an astounding debut, Amina’s Letters. His subsequent novels cemented his position as an exciting new voice. As winner of the German Book Prize, Julia Franck’s talent and popularity is becoming global: her expressive, atmospheric prose has been translated into over 35 languages. Parisian screenwriter and novelist Antoine Laurain climbed best-seller lists with the whimsical charm of The President’s Hat, aptly published on the eve of France’s 2012 presidential elections.

Italian writer Diego Marani explored the role language plays in personal identity in his award-winning Finnish Grammar. As an established translator Marani also shows an insight into the transformative process of literary translation. Witold Szablowski writes for Poland’s leading newspaper, and is noted for a comprehensive, unflinching approach. His hard-hitting reporting in Turkey, collected in The Assassin From Apricot City, was noted by Amnesty International for its impact on human rights and won the European Parliament Journalism Award. Dimitri Velhurst is a poet and novelist and short-story writer from Belgium. His fragmentary forms and remote, cynical tone has attracted worldwide attention.

BBC Journalist Rosie Goldsmith has chaired the discussion since its first event. Her expertise and passion for foreign literature promise an evening that is educational, yet entertaining: ‘I don’t want to give the impression that it’s like a Eurovision Song Contest,’ she says. ‘I do believe in making it entertaining, but in the end it’s about the quality of the writing’. This quality, whether you’re already versed in foreign literature, or discovering it for the first time, makes this literary melting-pot a must-see event.