It feels like the new year just started, but it’s February already somehow. Fortunately there are some lovely translation events coming up to chase away the winter blues. Don’t let the flu catch you!
Thursday, Feb. 1:
In Praise of Weakness: Translator Michael Eskin presents In Praise of Weakness by French philosopher Alexandre Jollien, which he translated. More information here. Albertine, 972 Fifth. Ave., 7:00 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 2:
Readings in Translation: Harlequin Creature presents readings by Elisa Wouk Almino, Emily Beyda, & Bonnie Chau followed by a discussion on the artistic practice of literary translation, moderated by Meghan Forbes. More information here. Berl’s Brooklyn Poetry Shop, 141 Front St., Brooklyn, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 11:
Us&Them: A Writer-Translator Reading Series. A special Manhattan installment of this Brooklyn-based reading series featuring writers who are also translators reading both their own and translated work will present Anne Ishii translating Gengoroh Tagame (Japanese); Madhu Kaza translating Vimala (Telugu); Taije Silverman translating Giovanni Pascoli (Italian); and Kyle Dacuyan translating Hervé Guibert (French). More information here. KGB Bar, 85 E 4th St, Manhattan, 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 13:
Found Life: Translator Maya Vinokour speaks with author Linor Goralik, one of the first Russian writers to make a name for herself online. More information here. NYU Jordan Center, 19 University Place, 2nd Fl., 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 15:
Crossing Borders: Launch event for the anthology Crossing Borders: Stories and Essays about Translation, edited by translator/writer Lynne Sharon Schwartz. Event will also feature translator/writer Michael Scammell, joining authors Michelle Herman, Laura Esther Wolfson, and others TBA. More information here. Book Culture, 536 W. 112th St., 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20:
How to Subsister: Event celebrating the launch of translator-poet Uljana Wolf’s new book in English Subsisters, with Wolf joined by translators Sawako Nakayasu, Farnoosh Fathi, Anna Moschavakis, Matvei Yankelevich, and poets Cathy Park Hong, Mina Pam Dick, LaTasha N. Diggs, and Celina Su. Moderated by Translationista. More information here. Goethe-Institut New York, 30 Irving Place, 7:00 p.m.
Also Tuesday, Feb. 20:
Memoir, Narrative and Translation: bilingual event featuring translators Daniel Shapiro and Carlos Velásquez Torres in conversation with their authors Araceli Tinajero (Kokoro: A Mexican Woman in Japan) and Seamus Scanlon (Irlanda en el corazón). Instituto Cervantes New York, 211 E 49th St., 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 22:
The Woman with the Five Elephants: one of the most beautiful movies ever made about a literary translator, this gorgeous documentary by Swiss filmmaker Vadim Jendreyko from 2009 presents a portrait of the great Dostoevsky translator Svetlana Geier (the “elephants” are the five fat novels of his she translated). A really compelling portrait of a translator at work. Highly recommended! You’ll love the ironing scene. Free admission, RSVP requested. More information here. Brooklyn Public Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, 4:00 p.m.
Also Thursday, Feb. 22:
Found Life: Translator Maya Vinokour speaks with author Linor Goralik, one of the first Russian writers to make a name for herself online. More information here. Harriman Institute, Columbia University, International Affairs Bldg., 12th Fl., 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 28:
KJCC Poetry Series presents a program of Latin American poetry featuring translators Hilary Kaplan, Elizabeth Zuba, and Jeannine Pitas joined by Chilean poet Soledad Marambio, moderated by Lila Zemborain and presented by Ugly Duckling Presse. More information here. KJCC Auditorium, New York University, 53 Washington Square South, 7:00 p.m.