Literary translation workshop

The University of East Anglia hosts the British Centre for Literary Translation 2008 International Literary Translation Summer School, which kicks off next week:

This year major names in world literature – both authors and translators – will be attending. They include British writers Giles Foden and George Szirtes, Irish poets Gabriel Rosenstock and Paddy Bushe, Spanish mystery and children’s author Carmen Posadas, and Angolan novelist and journalist José Eduardo Agualusa.

Delegates will arrive on Sunday July 20 from as far afield as Lebanon, Angola and Brazil. This year the following languages will be translated: Irish, English, Arabic, Italian, German, Portuguese and Spanish.

"Irish appears on our programme for the first time, and we are delighted to welcome Gabriel Rosenstock and Paddy Bushe, who are both active as poets and translators,” said Dr Valerie Henitiuk, BCLT associate director.

“The enthusiasm and creativity sparked by bringing these and other brilliant literary figures together with such talented participants make this summer school a quite extraordinary experience.”

Founded in 1989 by the late WG 'Max' Sebald, the BCLT is Britain’s foremost centre for the development, promotion and support of literary translation. The BCLT residential summer school has been a highlight of the literary calendar since 2000. Each year acclaimed writers and translators gather for an intense week of translation workshops, panel discussions, and talks. The event culminates in multilingual readings of the work accomplished.