About the Event
Some of Europe’s brightest literary talents will gather in New York to reaffirm the relevance of literature in troubled times. Authors and translators from seven E.U. countries will convene at the Ukrainian Institute of America on October 24, 2024, for the European Literature Night, an annual event featuring multilingual readings, Q&A sessions, panel discussions, and musical performances.
Romania is represented by Ioana Nicolaie, an acclaimed poet, novelist, children's books author and educator, who will join a select group of writers and translators from all over Europe: Romain Buffat (Switzerland), Paulo Rodrigues Ferreira (Portugal), Rimantas Kmita (Lithuania), Magdaléna Platzová (Czechia), translators Ross Benjamin (Germany), and Grażyna Drabik (Poland).
A decade-long tradition in many European countries, where readings and idea exchanges often take place in communal spaces like pubs and coffee shops, European Literature Night (ELN) brings the essence of European café culture to New York. Launched in 2017, ELN embodies a spirit of unity and the belief that literature serves as a unique medium for strengthening dialogue among diverse voices and cultures while breaking down communication barriers.
Free and open to the public with registration. Details and RSVP HERE.
ELN 2024 is presented by members of EUNIC New York cluster in collaboration with PEN America.
About the Romanian Author
IOANA NICOLAIE is the author of six novels, five volumes of poetry, and ten children’s books, which have won her numerous literary awards. Her novel, Cartea Reghinei / The Book of Reghina was the winner of the 2020 Radio Romania Cultural Award, Observator Lyceum Prize, National Prose Prize Iași, and Book Agency Award. She has been translated into several languages and has participated in numerous national and international literature festivals all over the world. (Photos by Cristian Sutu and Andrea Goia)
Program of ELN 2024
5:30 PM: Doors open
6:00-6:15: Opening remarks
6:15-7:00: Panel Discussions
Panel 1: "The Novel as Social Commentary," moderated by Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf of PEN America. Participants: Romain Buffat (Switzerland), Paulo Rodrigues Ferreira (Portugal), Ioana Nicolaie (Romania), Magdaléna Platzová (Czechia).
Panel 2: "Diaries, Autofiction, Memoir," moderated by Sabir Sultan of PEN America. Participants: Ross Benjamin (Germany), Grażyna Drabik (Poland), Rimantas Kmita (Lithuania).
7:15-8:40: Readings in Breakout Rooms.
Ioana Nicolaie’s readings will take place in Room 3 at 7:15 PM and 7:45 PM.
Panel Discussions
Panel 1: "The Novel as Social Commentary" - moderated by Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, Chief Program Officer, Literary Programming at PEN America
This thought-provoking discussion will center on the power of the contemporary European novel. Novels not only depict how people live - they describe the societal forces that gird individuals’ lives. Not simply just an art form, the novel shines a light on familial, political, and communal structures, exposing the limits of convention and causing the reader to ask how people live and how they could live. In this thought-provoking discussion panelists will discuss their works and how the contemporary European novel speaks to the cultural moment Europe finds itself in today. The panel will feature Romain Buffat (SUI), Paulo Rodrigues Ferreira (PT), Ioana Nicolaie (RO), and Magdaléna Platzová (CZ).
Panel 2: "Reflections on the Page: Diaries, Autofiction and Memoir in European Literature" - moderated by Sabir Sultan, Director, Literary Programs and World Voices Festival
Discover the rich history of modern Europe through the intimate lens of diaries, memoirs, and autofiction. In this compelling discussion, translators and novelists will unravel how personal narratives reveal the heart of tumultuous times. This panel will showcase a selection of remarkable works, including an acclaimed new translation of Kafa’s diaries during the lead-up to World War I, the evocative notebooks of Andrez Bobkowski-a self-styled cosmopolitan Pole navigating life in occupied France in 1940-and a compelling novel offering a glimpse into post-Soviet Lithuania. The panel will feature translators Ross Benjamin (DE) and Grażyna Drabik (PL) and novelist Rimantas Kmita (LT).
