ROMANIA ROCKS: THE FIRST EVER ROMANIAN-BRITISH LITERATURE FESTIVAL*
The programme is now LIVE! The first ever Romanian-British Literature Festival will run until 13th NOV 2020. This new and unique festival comprises discussions, poetry readings, film screenings, interactive workshops and seminars on translation, publishing and the Romanian Blouse; children’s activities, and a number of special events, including British Voices in Romania and Romanian Voices in Britain, and finishes on November 13th with a Rock concert. The festival introduces you to some of the brightest and best literary minds from both countries, brought to you by the Romanian Cultural Institute in London and the European Literature Network.
ROCK TALKS
Our headline Interview series “Rock Talks” of outstanding “rock star” authors feature some of the most famous authors from both Romania and Britain when they meet to discuss their work, their countries and those issues close to their hearts. Starting on Monday 19th October at 18.30pm BST, in our first “Rock Talk”, David Mitchell, the acclaimed British author of novels such as Cloud Atlas and Utopia Avenue, meets Andrei Codrescu, the great Romanian poet, novelist and essayist. You can watch for free wherever you are in the world via live stream on: https://www.facebook.com/ICRLondon
You’ll be able to watch all our festival ROCKS TALKS at 6:30pm/18:30 UK time, free and online on the following dates:
WEDNESDAY 22nd OCTOBER: PAUL BAILEY meets MARIUS CHIVU
The distinguished British novelist, biographer and long-time lover of Romania, meets fellow literary critic, broadcaster and author, Bucharest’s Marius Chivu. Hosted by Rosie Goldsmith.
THURSDAY 23rd October: FIONA SAMPSON meets ANA BLANDIANA
The outstanding British poet, academic and author meets Romania’s world-renowned female poet. With translator Viorica Patea. Hosted by Gabriela Mocan.
THURSDAY 29th OCTOBER: IAN RANKIN meets BOGDAN TEODORESCU
Two best-selling authors compare crime-writing, detectives and crime in their home countries, Scotland and Romania. Hosted by Rosie Goldsmith.
MONDAY 2nd NOVEMBER: DEBORAH LEVY meets MAGDA CÂRNECI
Both much admired for their broad cultural passions and intense, exquisite writing on the human condition. Hosted by Rosie Goldsmith.
FRIDAY 5th NOVEMBER: AL KENNEDY meets IOANA PÂRVULESCU
Two wonderful women, both novelists and poets, both with a great sense of humour, meet and talk for the first time. Hosted by Rosie Goldsmith.
THURSDAY 6th NOVEMBER: BEN OKRI meets NORMAN MANEA
Celebrated poet, novelist and essayist, Ben Okri, meets the Grand Old Man of Romanian Letters Norman Manea. Hosted by Rosie Goldsmith.
MONDAY 9th NOVEMBER: ELIF SHAFAK meets MATEI VIȘNIEC
Find out what happens when two successful writers and public figures meet for the first time: Turkish-British novelist, academic and activist meets the French-Romanian novelist, playwright and poet. With translator Jozefina Komporaly. Hosted by Rosie Goldsmith.
WEDNESDAY 11th NOVEMBER: PHILIP BOEHM meets SEAN COTTER
Two internationally renowned translators meet to discuss their lives and work, and how they approach translating some of Romania’s most famous authors, such as Herta Müller and Mircea Cărtărescu. Hosted by Rosie Goldsmith and Gabriela Mocan.
Schedule and Events
The festival schedule, including the full list of headline events, “ROCK TALKS”, is available and regularly updated on http://www.icr-london.co.uk and https://www.eurolitnetwork.com
Social Media to follow are: #RomanianRiveter #RomaniaRocks @RCILondon @eurolitnet
Press and publicity enquiries:
Emma House, Oreham Group
Email: emmahouse@oreham.co.uk
Tel: +44 7717 677007
NOTES:
*ROMANIA ROCKS: This unique literary festival takes its name from Romania’s world-famous living, moving, growing rocks, the stunning geographical phenomenon known as “Trovants”. Hence our distinctive “rocks logo”. Romania’s rocks are also a superb metaphor for its vibrant and original literature and for a festival that aims to address some of the “cornerstone issues” of the day with our Romanian and British authors, from the environment to culture, health to technology, and of course, the transformative power of storytelling. Can literature make sense of today’s traumas and challenges and illuminate our lives?