Eleven award-winning authors from eleven countries celebrate the English translations of their latest books through readings, dialogue, and performance.
Now in its 7th edition, the program explores three urgent themes:
- The Past’s Presence – how seismic historical events shape characters’ present lives
- Authoritarianism / Writing War – the language of war and its moral, political, and social ramifications
- Ties That Bind – how love, desire, and community shape our stories
This year’s lineup:
- Alois Hotschnig, Austria
- Marek Torčík, Czechia
- Khuê Pham, Germany
- Gabija Grusaite, Lithuania
- Tobi Lakmaker, The Netherlands
- Joanna Olczak-Ronikier, Poland
- Katherine Vaz, Portugal
- Liliana Corobca, Romania
- Ariane Koch, Switzerland
- Jonas Hassen Khemiri, Sweden
- Artem Chapeye, Ukraine
2025 Program
- 6:15 PM The Past’s Presence
How does history echo through the lives of contemporary characters? Authors Alois Hotschnig (Austria), Khuê Pham (Germany), Liliana Corobca (Romania), Jonas Hassen Khemiri (Sweden) and Katherine Vaz (Portugal) dive into their powerful novels, exploring how war, occupation, and deportation continue to shape the present.
This lively conversation will be moderated by Sabir Sultan, Director of the World Voices Festival & Literary Programs at PEN America.
- 7:15 PM Authoritarianism, War, and Writing
From the World Wars to today’s Russian invasion of Ukraine, conflict has shaped Europe’s cultures, politics, and language. Author Artem Chapeye (Ukraine), Peter Osnos (Poland) and Antonia Lloyd-Jones (Poland) explore how war transforms personal destinies and collective memory through their novels and memoirs.
The discussion will be moderated by Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, Interim Co-CEO and Chief Program Officer of Literary Programs at PEN America.
- 8:15 PM Ties That Bind
How do intimate, familial, and imagined relationships shape who we are? Authors Ariane Koch (Switzerland), Gabija Grusaite (Lithuania), Tobi Lakmaker (Netherlands), and Marek Torčík (Czechia) explore how love, desire, and connection intertwine in their novels—and what happens when boundaries are set, crossed, or redefined.
This conversation will be moderated by Sarah Dillard, World Voices Festival & Literary Programs Manager at PEN America.