Translating Affinities: Catalan and English Contemporary Literary Exchange is the title of the first seminar to be held on March 13th at the Literary Translation Centre at 4.45pm. The participants will be Stefan Toubler, founder and publisher of And Other Stories, and Bernat Fiol, founder and agent at Salmaialit. Stefan is the English publisher of Germà de gel by Alicia Kopf and Permagel by Eva Baltasar; while Bernat is the Catalan agent behind the translations of Eva Baltasar, Marta Orriols, Joan Sales, among others. This cooperation represents a growing business and a literary trend as many Catalan works have been sold and published in the UK market in the past few years. This is also true the other way round, as many UK books are acquired by both independent companies and big commercial groups for Catalan publication.
During their conversation, participants Stefan and Bernat will discuss the details of this literary exchange. How does it work? Is there any specific pattern, subject or genre standing out? Who are the most important authors? What are the key books? Who are the professionals involved? Is this business shaping literature?
Hours before, at 11.30am, on the same March 13th, will take place another seminar featuring Catalan writer Albert Forns. Under the title A Different Window onto the World. Indigenous Language Literature, Identity and Translation in Scotland, Wales and Europe, this panel will analyse the difficulty but also the appeal of languages lacking speakers, translators or a State. Forns will participate in a conversation led by Welsh professor Elin Ha Gruffydd and involving Welsh author Caryl Lewis and Basque author Karmele Jaio.
