Unfortunately, following the cancellation of the London Book Fair 2020 due to the escalation of COVID-19 Coronavirus in Europe, the English PEN Literary Salon will no longer be taking place.
Join us for an exciting programme of events over three days, featuring authors such as Irenosen Okojie, Edna O’Brien and Cressida Cowell, plus many more.
The English PEN Literary Salon is open to all visitors of The London Book Fair. It is located on level one of Olympia in the Grand Hall.
English PEN has also curated a panel at the Literary Translation Centre:
12 March, 10:00 -11:00
Freedom to Translate: Who Has the Power?
This session looks at who gets to translate and who gets to be translated. It explores power structures in the world of literary translation – from the role of ‘soft power’ to the diversity of gatekeepers, from language dominance to financial barriers. The panellists will discuss how state structures influence trends, the effect funders have on the market, and what you do when a government does not support your right to translate and be translated.
Tuesday 10 March
Maltese Literature: From Local to Global
10:30 – 11:30
Omar Ghobash, In Conversation with Philippe Sands
11:45 – 12:15
Mohammed Al-Murr , In Conversation with Catherine Taylor
12:30 – 13:00
Sheikh Zayed Book Award: The Positive Impact of Prizes on Translation
13:30 – 14:15
Author of the Day, Edna O’Brien, In Conversation with Alec Russell
14:30 – 15:00
Tessa Hadley, In Conversation with Claire Armitstead
16:30 – 17:00
Hazel Barkworth, In Conversation with Hannah Trevarthen
16:30 – 17:00
Omid Tofighian, translator of Behrouz Boochani, In Conversation
17:00 – 17:45
Wednesday 11 March
Irenosen Okojie, In Conversation with Aki Schilz
10:00 – 10:30
Lavie Tidhar, In Conversation with Robert Sharp
10:45 – 11:15
A Special Rathbones Folio Prize event: What Does it Take to Break Through as a Writer?
11:30 – 12:00
Khulood Al Mu’alla, In Conversation with Nia Davies
13:15 – 13:45
Author of the Day, Afra Atiq, In Conversation with Joelle Taylor
14:15 – 14:45
Eman Al Yousef, In Conversation
15:00 – 15:30
Dean Atta, In Conversation with Keith Jarrett
16:00 – 16:30
Thursday 12 March
Make European Literature Cross Frontiers with the European Prize for Literature
10:00 – 10:45
Eley Williams, In Conversation with Peggy Hughes
11:00 – 11:30
Sultan AlAmeemi, In Conversation
11:45 – 12:15
Crossmedia Author of the Fair, Mark Millar, In Conversation
13:00 – 13:40
Children’s Author of the Day, Cressida Cowell, In Conversation
14:00 – 14:30
