European Literature Today a Gala Evening at the BA
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Alexandria—
On 25 January, Literature Across Frontiers (UK) in partnership with the BA and the Anna Lindh Foundation will host a literary event with the presence of several prominent literary figures from Europe to celebrate the donation of more than 100 books from all over Europe to the BA, as a centre of excellence in the production and dissemination of knowledge, a place of dialogue, learning and understanding between cultures and peoples.
This event marks the launch of a series of literary projects celebrating the EU year of intercultural dialogue 2008 with a landmark exchange of literary culture between Europe and the Arab World.
Literature Across Frontiers is co-ordinating the donation of a collection of books ranging from novels, short stories and poetry to non-fiction to highlight the linguistic and literary diversity of Europe. It is hoped that some of these writings will be eventually translated into Arabic.
The project will open with a gala evening of literature and music held in the library’s Conference Centre Theatre at 19.00 hrs. on 25 January 2008, featuring appearance of visiting authors Niall Griffiths and James Robertson from the United Kingdom, Anton Hykisch from Slovakia, Sandra Kalniete from Latvia and Svetlana Makarovič from Slovenia.
From Egypt, the renown Alexandrian writer, Ibrahim Abdel Maguid, author of No One Sleeps in Alexandria, will participate as the guest of honour representing modern Arabic, and Egyptian literature in particular. The reading will be followed by a concert given by the award-winning local band Massar Egbari to celebrate the new collection. Another event will be held in Cairo to coincide with the opening of the Cairo International Book Fair.
It is worth mentioning that this project is also supported by the British Council (Egypt) and the Scottish Arts Council, and is organised in cooperation with the Center for Slovenian Literature, Slovak Literature Information Centre, Scottish Poetry Library and Welsh Literature Abroad.
For more information, please contact: Mrs. Alexandra Buchler, Literature Across Frontiers (UK) info@lit-across-frontiers.org