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Czech BooksKateřina Rudčenková: the waves of the Caribbean break on the shores of Lake Balaton
What happens when five women poets writing in five different languages meet
on the edge of a Hungarian lake? As we find out now in Czech Books, the
experience can offer rich insights into what different languages and
cultures have in common, and where they differ. David Vaughan talks to the
poet Kateřina Rudčenková. More
Czech BooksThe longest day: an ecstasy of Czech poetry
Last month the Czech Republic enjoyed its annual celebration of poetry, the
“Den poezie”. Literally this translates as “poetry day”, although
in reality the event lasts a good deal longer than a mere 24 hours. This
year there was a particular reason to celebrate, as David Vaughan reports
in Czech Books. More
One on OneJustin Quinn - A Prague-based poet, professor and translator
The Irish poet Justin Quinn has been living in the Czech Republic for close
to two decades. His latest collection of poetry, “Waves and Trees” has
been translated into Czech, and he himself has also translated the work of
Czech poets, such as Petr Borkovec, into English. I talked to Justin Quinn
about translating poetry and how living away from his native country has
affected the poetry he writes.
More
Czech BooksChanging narratives from the smaller countries of Europe
If you are a writer from one of the smaller countries of Europe, writing in
a language spoken by a few million or perhaps just a few hundred thousand
people, your chances of finding an international readership are almost
non-existent. The organization Literature Across Frontiers has been working
to redress the balance, helping to draw attention to writers from all
corners of the continent, and above all struggling to get their work
published and translated internationally. At the recent Bookworld book fair
in Prague, the driving force behind the organization, Alexandra Büchler,
chaired a fascinating discussion involving four young writers from smaller
European countries. Afterwards they all joined me to talk about some of the
themes that came up during the discussion:
More
Current AffairsPrague poetry festival welcomes writers from all corners of the globe
On Tuesday, poets from all over the world gathered in Prague for the sixth
International Poetry Festival to be held in the city. This year, the Czech
capital is playing host to poets from sixteen different countries,
including Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Portugal. More than ever before, the
International Poetry Festival is a melting pot of dozens of different
languages, and has translation as one of its key themes. English speakers
are by no means left out:
More
Czech BooksPetr Borkovec: between suburbia and the wilderness of nature
This week we look at a very fruitful literary friendship between one of the
best known contemporary Czech poets, Petr Borkovec, and the Prague-based
Irish poet, Justin Quinn. Not only are they good friends but they have
also worked closely together, with Justin translating a great deal of
Petr's work. They may come from different ends of Europe and diverse
literary traditions, but in many ways the two poets are kindred spirits.
Justin Quinn joins me in the studio.
More
Czech BooksAlexandra Büchler: crossing the frontiers of language
In this week's Czech Books we talk to Alexandra Büchler, a very important
name in terms of Czech literature worldwide. She has been instrumental not
only in translating, but also in organizing projects to make Czech
literature and the literatures of other smaller countries known to a wider
public. She was in Prague recently for the Prague Book Fair, when Bernie
Higgins took the opportunity to ask her about her work. She began by
asking about the book fair itself.
More
Current AffairsCzech literary stars join forces on new book
Two new anthologies of Czech short stories were released on Wednesday in
Prague's, 'Palace Luxor' bookshop. Fittingly for somewhere calling itself
the capital's 'Palace of Books', the 'Palace Luxor' played host to the
Kings, Queens and Princesses of Czech literature, who had all collaborated
on the project. Rosie Johnston was at the event:
More
Czech BooksVisitors invisible through treetops: the poetry of Katerina Rudcenkova
Katerina Rudcenkova is one of the two Czech poets featured in a new book
published by Arc publications, called "A Fine Line: New Poetry from
Eastern and Central Europe". It has a preface written by former
President Vaclav Havel and it has had excellent reviews. Katerina talks to
Bernie Higgins. More
