Fiction Fiesta 2013

A festival dedicated to the celebration of international fiction and poetry in translation alongside Welsh writing, is to be hosted by Cardiff University from 18-19 May.

Fiction Fiesta 2013 will deliver an innovative programme of literary events featuring 18 authors, poets, translators and critics who will contribute to lively readings and discussions about literature in translation.

The festival is curated by Dr Richard Gwyn, Director of Creative Writing in Cardiff University's School of English, Communication and Philosophy, and author of The Vagabond's Breakfast, Deep Hanging Out and The Colour of a Dog Running Away.

Speaking of the festival, he said:

"The idea for the festival is to bring together a bunch of writers from very different places - all of them passionate about language and the craft of writing - and see what happens: the result, we are confident, will be a weekend of literary alchemy."

Richard's vision for Fiction Fiesta is for the festival to become an annual event with an international flavour, celebrating literature in translation, which he feels is a most under-read art form in the English speaking world.

Fiction Fiesta 2013 will showcase international prize-winning authors such as Andrés Neuman (Traveller of the Century) and Tiffany Atkinson (Catulla et al), and will introduce to the UK new internationally renowned writers such as Inés Garland (Piedra, Papel o Tijera) and Eduardo Halfon (The Polish Boxer).

Sioned Puw Rowlands of Wales Literature Exchange will be participating in a panel led by Professor Alexis Nuselovici (Chair of Modern Cultural Studies at Cardiff University), with Amanda Hopkinson (Professor of Literary Translation at City University London), Boyd Tonkin (The Independent) and the Scots poet, WN Herbert.

For more information about event listings, venue locations and participating speakers, go to the Fiction Fiesta 2013 website:http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/communityengagement/fictionfiesta/