Oxford Bookstore, in association with EUNIC – EU National Institutes for Culture, hosted a literary forum at the Embassy of the Czech Republic. The exclusive session, titled ‘The Global Writer: Navigating Local Identity and Universal Themes’, brought together authors, translators and publishers from Europe and India to explore the rich tapestry of literary connections between the two regions.
This cross-continental panel united voices from India and Europe to discuss how place, language, and culture shape their creative expression while addressing themes that resonate globally. The distinguished panel for the 2025 edition included Piotr Florczyk, poet, translator and critic from Poland; Clara Nubile, author from Italy; Jackie Thomae, author from Germany; Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, author, poet, translator and voice-over artist from India; Amitabha Bagchi, author from India; and Dipankar Mukherjee, publisher and moderator from India.
Together, the panelists highlighted on what it means to be a “global writer” today—rooted in identity yet reaching beyond borders. The discussion also delved into the evolving role of translation in connecting audiences, the shifting habits of readers in a digital era, and the growing influence of AI on storytelling and authorship.
The Long Night of Literatures 2025 welcomed authors from 14 European countries, bringing a rich blend of voices and visions. The line-up included from Markus Köhle from Austria; Todor Todorov from Bulgaria / EU Delegation; Fine Gråbøl from Denmark; Monia Aljalis from France; Jackie Thomae from Germany; Ferenc Barnás from Hungary; Clara Nubile from Italy; Piotr Florczyk from Poland; Isabela Figueiredo from Portugal; Andrej Blatnik from Slovenia; Marcos Giralt Torrente from Spain; Anaïs Clerc from Switzerland; Yury Zavadsky from Ukraine; and Gail McConnell from United Kingdom.
As a co-host of the literary forum at The Long Night of Literatures, Oxford Bookstore continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to celebrating books, literature, and culture. With a century-long legacy, Oxford Bookstore remains a haven for literary enthusiasts, providing a space where the written word takes centre stage.
EUNIC – European Union National Institutes for Culture clusters all around the world seek to facilitate cultural co-operation, to create lasting partnerships between professionals, to encourage greater understanding and awareness of the diverse European cultures and greater language learning (over 2 million people learn European languages with EUNIC members). The EUNIC Cluster India was formed in 2007 and currently has ten member institutions: British Council, Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan, Alliance Francaise, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Instituto Cervantes, Instituto Camoes, Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre, Wallonie-Bruxelles International, Polish Institute and the Austrian Cultural Forum. The EUNIC Cluster works hand in hand with other European Embassies, cultural centres and the Delegation of the European Union to India.
The Long Night of Literatures started in Delhi in 2010 with the Goethe-Institut /Max Mueller Bhavan and Pro Helvetia – Swiss Arts Council. It soon expanded to include many more European countries. The festival also expanded geographically, with editions of the festival in Varanasi and Kolkata, giving authors the chance to encounter diverse Indian audiences and expand their horizons. This year celebrates the fifteenth edition and kickstarts a collaboration with the Indian Habitat Centre, bringing the festival to the heart of Delhi’s cultural scene.
It’s great to see cultural events like this bringing European literature to an Indian audience! Events like the Long Night of Literatures are key to sparking conversations across borders and showcasing the power of translation. Can’t wait to see which authors will be featured this year!