What a busy semester it's been for our literary community here in Paris. This April and May offered a full calendar of events, including drawing capacity crowds for Pulitzer Prize-winning author (and the most recent Cahier Series contributor) Jhumpa Lahiri, and the award-winning Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse.
The Center for Writers and Translators is always a hub of activity on campus, and the team were also honored to welcome Gaëlle Bélem, a writer from La Réunion whose novel was a nominated for this year's International Booker Prize, and Polish poet Tomasz Różycki, whose latest collection in English was shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize, and who spoke to students about writing and translation.
For current students, this immersion in the literary community offers a spark of inspiration. “Getting to talk to Gaëlle Bélém about her book series centered around monsters was phenomenal,” said Julian Dixey, who studies literature and linguistics, “and our conversation with Orly Castell-Bloom inspired me to go out and write strange and wonderful stories.”
These visitors joined an impressive roster of prominent international authors to have spoken at AUP this year including Guadalupe Nettel, Jakuta Alikavazovic, and Orly Castel-Bloom. “I have studied translated literature and followed the International Booker Prize for years,” reflected student Zoe Dial, “but prior to AUP, I never would have had the chance to meet the authors—Guadalupe Nettel, Gaëlle Bélem, Jhumpa Lahiri—whose works have expanded my literary worldview.”
If you want to be part of the conversation this fall why not consider applying for our new MFA in Creative Writing? Learn more at on the MFA program page.
