East African Literary Encounters
Reading and Discussion with Yvonne Owuor, Euphrase Kezilahabi and Abdulrazak Gurnah
Two languages have been particularly important in shaping the literary landscape in East Africa: Swahili and English. Three renowned authors will be presented during this reading in English and Swahili, followed by translations into German read by Harry Oberländer (Hessisches Literaturforum).
Yvonne Owuor is one of the leading authors of the younger generation in Kenya writing in English. Her short story “Weight of Whispers” was awarded the prestigious Caine Prize for African Writing in 2003. Euphrase Kezilahabi is one of the most renowned contemporary authors from Tanzania writing in Swahili. For about four decades now, he has been an innovative presence in Swahili writing, introducing free verse into Swahili poetry, and paving the path for the ‘new’, post- modern Swahili novel. With Abdulrazak Gurnah we are delighted to present one of the most highly acclaimed East African authors who is internationally known to a broad public. His latest published novel is Desertion (2005).
Translations by Karsten Lehvin, Lutz Diegner, and Stefanie Schaffer-de Vries.
Moderators: Dr. Lutz Diegner (Humboldt University Berlin) and Prof. Frank Schulze-Engler (Goethe University Frankfurt)
Venue: Hessisches Literaturforum im Mouson-Turm, Waldschmidtstraße 4, Frankfurt
