Books / Translated By, Bristol
First wave of ‘Translated By, Bristol’ programme announced
Organised by Storysmith and Gloucester Road Books in conjunction with acclaimed author and Japanese translator Polly Barton, the first ever festival of translated literature will be coming to Bristol from May 12 to 25.
The first wave of events for Translated By, Bristol has now been announced, with a second wave expected to follow in the coming weeks.
On the opening day of the festival, Finland-based Iraqi film director and writer Hassan Blasim will be joined by translator Jonathan Wright at Storysmith to discuss their new short story collection, Sololand, to be published later this year by Comma Press. The pair will be in discussion with Arabic translator and interpreter, Basma Ghalayini.
Hassan Blasim and Jonathan Wright, Sololand
On May 17, in partnership with the International Booker Prize 2025, the festival will be hosting a special event at The Station to showcase the translators shortlisted for this year’s award (with the shortlist due to be announced on April 8).
As well as conversation about the nominated books with Booker Prize administrator Fiammetta Rocco, there will be a selection of readings, and a chance to ask questions of the translators.
The International Booker Prize 2025, Translator’s Showcase
In the second week, Danish author Kirstine Reffstrup, now living in Norway, will join the festival to talk about her novel Iron Lung, along with her award-winning translator, Hunter Simpson.
In conversation with Noreen Masud on May 21, SJ Kim will be at Gloucester Road Books to discuss her memoir This Part is Silent: A Life Between Cultures.
Jen Calleja, Fair – The Life-Art of Translation
Born in Korea but growing up in the American South, Kim “probes her experiences as a writer, scholar and a daughter to confront the silences she finds in the world”.
Also announced is Jen Calleja, who will be at Storysmith with Polly Barton on the final weekend of the festival to talk about her genre-defying book Fair: The Life-Art of Translation.
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Translated By, Bristol will run from May 12-25, with tickets for the first wave of the programme available now at www.translatedbybristol.com, and the second wave to be announced soon. Sign up to the newsletter or follow @translatedbybristol for updates.
Main photo: Gloucester Road Books
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