Fiction Fiesta gets poetical

Five acclaimed poets and one short story specialist are to perform in Fiction Fiesta - a series of free public events organised by Cardiff University.

Curated by Head of Creative Writing at the School of English, Communication and Philosophy Professor Richard Gwyn, Fiction Fiesta has become an annual celebration of literature across cultures, initiating conversations between writers from Wales and Latin America since 2012.

Poetry takes centre stage this year, featuring distinguished writers from North and South America, alongside Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

On Monday 22 October, Scottish poet W.N. Herbert and Argentine writer and translator Andrés Ehrenhaus join Dublin-born poet and Lecturer in Creative Writing Ailbhe Darcy to give readings of their work. Space is limited, but tickets are free with advance booking for this event in Cardiff’s Flute and Tankard (6.30pm-9.30pm).

On Tuesday 23 October, Argentine Jorge Fondebrider and American Alexandra Teague appear alongside Fiction Fiesta founder Richard Gwyn at the Virgin Money Lounge on the Hayes (7pm-8.30pm). Space is limited, but tickets are free with advance booking.

This evening also marks the launch of Gwyn’s latest work, Stowaway: A Levantine Adventure. Charting the progress of a trans-historical, semi-mythical traveller across the eastern Mediterranean, the book of poetry tracks events from the fall of Byzantium to the emergence of Islamic State, or Daesh.

On the same day, there will also be a roundtable debate on the issue of translating the classics.(Tuesday 23 October, 2pm-5pm, Virgin Lounge). To book a place on this event, e-mail: Gwyn@cardiff.ac.uk

Fiction Fiesta 2018 is supported by Cardiff University’s School of English, Communication & Philosophy, Wales Arts International and the Virgin Money Lounge. For latest updates on Fiction Fiesta, follow on Facebook.