The 6th World Congress of Translators of Polish Literature starts this Thursday
The congress, a great celebration of Polish literature and those who promote it worldwide, was held for the first time in 2005 and is organized by the Book Institute every four years. For translators this is above all an opportunity to meet Polish authors, publishers, and literary agents. Over three days of the event the most important promoters of Polish literature in the world — which is precisely the role translators play — will be able to listen to numerous lectures, forge connections, and exchange translation experiences.
The event will open on Thursday with an inaugural lecture by Jacek Dehnel. The programme includes discussions not only about translation but also, among other things, about new releases, artificial intelligence, and the promotion of Polish literature abroad.
Over the three days translators will be able to learn about the latest trends in Polish prose, crime fiction, drama, reportage, children’s and young adult literature, fantasy, poetry, and finally essays. Lectures devoted to particular phenomena in contemporary Polish literature have been prepared for them by experts: Przemysław Czapliński, Wojciech Gunia, Grzegorz Jankowicz, Piotr Kofta, Joanna Oparek, Joanna Piekarska, Malina Prześluga, Jakub Skurtys, Ishbel Szatrawska and Mariusz Szczygieł.
Translators will also have the opportunity to speak with esteemed Polish writers. Among the guests are Grzegorz Bogdał, Jacek Dukaj, Julia Fiedorczuk, Joanna Gierak-Onoszko, Joanna Kuciel-Frydryszak, Eliza Kącka, Michał Książek, Małgorzata Lebda, Renata Lis, Marta Michalak, Szymon Opryszek, Radek Rak, Maciej Robert, Tomasz Różycki, Zyta Rudzka, Paweł Rzewuski, Natalka Suszczyńska, Joanna Wilengowska and Aleksandra Wojtaszek.
The event will also include mini book fairs with the participation of publishers and literary agents from across Poland. Participants will include Agencja Literacko-scenariuszowa Beaty Stasińskiej, Czarna Owca, Wydawnictwo Czarne, Dowody, Dwie Siostry, Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal, Grupa Zwierciadło, Ha!Art, KaBooks, Karakter, Kultura Gniewu, Marginesy, Mięta, PIW, Powergraph, SIW Znak, Syndykat Autorów, Timof Comics, Warstwy, Wydawnictwo Literackie and Wydawnictwo Poznańskie.
The second day of the Congress will be capped by the presentation of the Transatlantyk Award, the Book Institute’s most important laurel, granted to outstanding ambassadors of Polish literature abroad. The Transatlantyk Award was presented for the first time in 2005 during the inaugural edition of the World Congress of Translators of Polish Literature. The gala will be graced by a performance from Mela Koteluk.
The event will conclude on Saturday with presentations of the Book Institute’s programmes directed at translators.
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The 6th World Congress of Translators of Polish Literature is co-funded by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage.